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Goal-line tech at Euro 2016?

June 28, 2014

Sepp Blatter has said goal-line technology will be introduced for the 2016 European Championship. The FIFA President said that the technical aid has been a resounding success thus far at the World Cup in Brazil.

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Fußball FIFA Torlinientechnik
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

The president of world football's governing body said in an interview with FIFA.com published on Friday that goal-line technology would be a part of Euro 2016 in France.

"I spoke with the UEFA president, Michel Platini, who said he would introduce it for the European Championships 2016 in France," said Blatter.

However, Europe's ruling football body UEFA said that a final decision had not yet been made.

"The president has said on the record that UEFA will look at introducing GLT at Euro 2016," UEFA spokesman Pedro Pinto said in an emailed statement. "It is not a case of snapping his fingers and making it happen. It will be discussed at the referees committee and then still has to be approved by the executive committee."

Platini has been strongly against goal-line technology in his seven years at the helm of UEFA. However, he said in an interview in December that it could be an option for the Euros. UEFA currently uses additional referees for competitions including the European Championship, Champions League and Europa League.

"It helps the referee and the public and now there is no more discussion about whether a goal was scored or not scored, and ultimately scoring goals is the objective of football," said Blatter. "I am sure that professional leagues will follow.

World Cup debut

The technology is making its World Cup debut this year in Brazil. During the group stage of the tournament, it helped determine a French goal in a game with Honduras.

Goal-line technology was approved by FIFA in 2012 and first put to the test at a major international tournament during last year's Confederations Cup. It has been used by the English Premier League since last season.

Germany's Bundesliga rejected adopting the technology several months ago, but a new vote is expected in the near future.

Blatter also reiterated his call, made during the recent FIFA congress in Sao Paulo, that he'd like to "go one step further" and introduce video evidence to aid referees. He said coaches should be given the opportunity to make two challenges per half during a game, where play is interrupted. The referee would determine the situation via a sideline monitor. Blatter said such a policy would create "a little more justice" in the game.

dr/av (dpa, Reuters, AP)