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FIFA confirms goal-line technology to be used at 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Image: Goal-line technology: Successfully trialled at last year's World Club Cup

FIFA has confirmed that goal-line technology will be used at next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Lampard controversy

The incoming technology will be designed to help match officials with critical decisions in matches, and its use appears to have been hastened by England being denied a goal in their defeat to Germany at the 2010 World Cup. A shot from Frank Lampard hit the underside of the crossbar and replays showed it clearly crossed the line, however Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda did not award a goal, which would have been an equaliser. With the assistance of a goal-line camera, the costly mistake would not have been made. Tennis and cricket at the highest level already feature the use of technology, with umpires and players able to turn to replays of key incidents for clarification. Blatter said at the Club World Cup that FIFA would follow suit. "The one thing I can say is that the referees are happy to have this help for them because they know now that if there's a conflicting situation it is possible to get the assurance to say if it was or wasn't a goal," Blatter said in December.

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