FIFA will introduce goal-line technology for the first time at the Club World Cup in an effort to accurately judge when balls cross the goal line.
The magnetic field-based system of GoalRef will be used at Yokohama Stadium while Toyota Stadium will be equipped with the camera-based Hawk Eye system. The seven-team tournament begins on Thursday when New Zealand’s Auckland City faces Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Yokohama Stadium.
“Tomorrow will be the first time that goal-line technology will be officially used in a game,” FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said on Wednesday. “The tests are done; and the installation tests were successful.”
Before each match, officials will test the system is working in both goals.
The referee will continue to have full autonomy in making any final decision during the match, using goal-line technology as an additional aid.
The data from the Club World Cup will be used to help FIFA decide, by the end of March, which technology it will use for the six venues at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. The Confederations Cup system will then be used at the 2014 World Cup.
“The referee has the final decision,” Valcke added. “The technology won’t change the speed, value or spirit of the game. There is no reason to be against this technology.”
