Goal-line technology could be introduced to the English Premier League
in time for the 2012/2013 season, chief executive Richard Scudamore said
Wednesday.
Writing in a review of the Premier League season to
be distributed to British lawmakers later Wednesday, Scudamore expressed
hope that controversies over goal-line decisions could soon be a
distant memory.
“The whole point of the game is about scoring
goals. Players strain every sinew to either create or deny them, fans
shout themselves hoarse exhorting their teams to score them, managers’
and players’ careers can be defined by them,” Scudamore writes.
“The
technology is available, it is the fairness that is important and the
Premier League would introduce it tomorrow if it could. Now FIFA is
constructively engaged we are hopeful the 2012-13 season is a realistic
aim.”
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had been a long-time opponent
of goal-line technology, but softened his stance following controversies
which included the infamous “goal” by Frank Lampard which was
disallowed during England’s 2010 World Cup clash with Germany.
The
International Football Association Board, which governs the laws of the
game, has said that it will continue trials of goal-line technology to
find the best possible system before making any final decision.
