FIFA unlikely to adopt goal-line technology soon

BERLIN: FIFA will not consider using video evidence or other goal-line technology to determine if a goal has been scored until it is 100 per cent reliable, spokesman Markus Siegler said on Monday.

The issue was raised again after TV replays suggested France should have taken a 2-0 lead in the 32nd minute of Sunday's match against South Korea in Leipzig.

Patrick Vieira's header looked well over the line despite goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae's efforts to claw it away.

Mexican referee Benito Archundia waved play on and the goal did not stand. The teams eventually drew their Group G match 1-1 leaving France's progress at the finals in the balance.

World soccer's governing body FIFA experimented with new technology last year when they used a ball with a microchip in it at the world under-17 championship in Peru.

"The experiment with the chip ball in Peru was 'not bad' but it was not 100 per cent conclusive," Siegler said.

"We are open about reviewing technological support, but its introduction depends on a system being developed that is 100 per cent reliable, otherwise we will not use it," he said.

FIFA has continuously refused to allow video evidence to be used to determine whether a goal is scored or not.

The governing body's president Sepp Blatter maintains that football must have a "human face" and that "human error" by referees and players alike is part of the game.