Fifa to test nine goal-line technology systems

World football’s governing body Fifa says it will test nine goal-line technology systems which aim to be approved for use next year.

The Zurich-based organisation says the nine candidates, all from Europe, will be examined between September and December by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.

Fifa’s rule-making body will study the results in London in March and invite the best systems to a second round of trials.

Systems must be 90 per cent accurate in the first phase and send instant signals to the match referee’s watch.

Fifa President Sepp Blatter reversed his opposition to tests after England were denied a clear goal at the 2010 World Cup. Currently. Fifa does not permit video evidence during matches. Blatter has said the technology could be in place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

That plan will be opposed by Michel Platini, the influential president of Uefa, European football’s governing body, who favours employing additional assistant referees standing beside each goal.

Switzerland’s Massimo Busacca, who was recently named head of refereeing at Fifa, also rejects the use of video replays despite its popularity among fans.