FIFA picks GoalControl goal-line technology system for use ahead of 2014 World Cup in Brazil

GENEVA – FIFA surprisingly opted for GoalControl on Tuesday as its goal-line technology system ahead of next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

The German camera-based, ball-tracking system was the last of four contenders to join the race to win a FIFA contract which starts at the Confederations Cup in June.

FIFA chose GoalControl-4D over three rival projects: GoalRef and Cairos, which both use magnetic fields; and Hawk-Eye, another camera system which was considered favourite. It is already used in tennis and cricket, and its English parent company was bought by World Cup sponsor Sony Corp. before it began FIFA-endorsed testing in 2011.

GoalControl was licensed by FIFA only one month ago, and owner Dirk Broichhausen told The Associated Press then that its simplicity was key.

“Our innovation, and also a difference looking to other competitors, is that we can use standard goals, balls and nets. There is no modification necessary,” Broichhausen said.

GoalControl uses 14 high-speed cameras — seven trained on each goalmouth — and passed FIFA-approved tests in February in German stadiums in Duesseldorf and Gelsenkirchen. All four systems met FIFA’s demand that a signal is transmitted to the referee’s watch within one second if a goal should be awarded.

“We want to offer tournament organizers and leagues and clubs not to have to change anything on the pitch. The investment in the technology is enough,” Broichhausen said

He estimated that GoalControl will cost 200,000 euros ($260,000) per stadium to install, and 3,000 euros ($3,900) per match to operate.

FIFA said the cost of installation — at six scheduled Confederations Cup stadiums and 12 for the World Cup — was considered.

“The respective bids were also judged on cost and project management factors such as staffing and time schedules for installation,” football’s governing body said in a statement.

FIFA’s contract with GoalControl for the World Cup can be reviewed if there are problems at the 16-match Confederations Cup — or even before.

“The use of GoalControl-4D in Brazil is subject to a final installation test at each stadium where the system will be installed,” FIFA said.

FIFA, through its rule-making panel known as IFAB, approved goal-line technology last July, when Hawk-Eye and GoalRef passed the rigorous testing process.

Those systems were tested at the Club World Cup in Japan last December, before Cairos and GoalControl had even been licensed.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has urged using goal-line technology in Brazil after England midfielder Frank Lampard had a clear goal disallowed against Germany at the 2010 World Cup.