Blatter puts goal-line technology on October agenda

The controversial issue of goal-line technology will be discussed at a meeting of the International Football Association Board in October, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Wednesday.

During the World Cup in South Africa, Blatter indicated it would be tabled at a meeting of football's rulers in Wales in July, but that never happened.

"At this meeting (in October), we will bring the point of goal-line technology. It is now on the agenda," he said in Singapore where he is attending the Youth Olympic Games.

Goal-line technology was forced back onto FIFA's agenda after England's Frank Lampard had a goal disallowed in South Africa, despite replays showing the ball clearly crossed the line.

FIFA have previously rebuffed all demands to use video technology to resolve contentious refereeing decisions, despite it being successfully implemented in other sports such as tennis, cricket and rugby union.

Their rationale has been that it would disrupt the free-flowing movement of the game.

But with international pressure growing, Blatter has softened his stance, and said Wednesday that the technology could be allowed providing it was reliable.

"My personal opinion on goal technology has never changed," he said.

"I have said if we have an accurate and simple system then we will implement but so far we have not had a simple, nor an accurate system."

The International Football Association Board, which determines football rules, holds a business meeting in October but any law-changing decision is unlikely until its next annual meeting in March next year.
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