FIFA starts selecting its goal line technology for the World Cup in 2014

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION FIFA has reached out to suppliers of sports technologies for a partner that can supply it will goal line cameras.

FIFA has issued a statement in which it asked for companies to step forward and present their kit for use amongst all the other kit that will litter the dozen stadiums that will be used in competitions. It is presently open to persuasion on offers.

"After a successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT) at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, FIFA has decided to use GLT at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil," said the statement.

"The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests. With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil."

Two requirements, including a license under FIFA's Quality Programme for supplying GLT, are actually all that would be needed, and in most sensible minds they would be that, (a) the technology works and, (b) it does not slow the game down.

FIFA president Seb Blatter grabbed hold of the GLT debate in 2010 when a Frank Lampard goal was disallowed against Germany and a Tevez offside was allowed for Argentina against Mexico. At that time Blatter apologised to fans of England and Mexico and conceded that thought must be given to the fourth official.

Goalref and Hawkeye would seem to be the most likely contenders in the competition, having already been trialed by FIFA.

Football fans of particular teams, including Spurs fans who are aware of the Juan Mata 'ghost goal', might have their own reasons for supporting the fourth official. µ