FIFA, football's governing body worldwide, has officially approved the use of goal-line technology after it was given clearance by the International FA Board (IFAB).
IFAB approved of two systems in particular, Hawkeye, and Goalref, after a series of extensive scientific tests. The Premier League could see this technology in action as soon as January 2013.
FIFA secretary Jerome Valcke said they are looking to unveil the technology at the Club World Cup in Japan, and also intend to use it in next year's Confederations Cup as well as in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Valcke said FIFA would pay for the systems, each costing approximately $250,000 USD, and would leave them in the stadiums permanently.
"We want to make sure that the systems at the World Cup work at 150 percent, not 90 percent," Valcke said.
English FA secretary Alex Horne said in an interview in Zurich: "We believe that it is a great day for football. From an English perspective today is a hugely important day, it is a cause we have had on our agenda for a number of years.
"This is about having the right technology helping the referee in a relatively rare occurrence - the scoring of a goal."
Head of the Scottish FA, Stweart Regan, added: "Over the past few years there have been a number of occasions where mistakes have been made in football.
"The referee will still make the final decision but the view of the board is that anything that can help the referee has to be good. I think this is an historic day for football and I'm delighted to be part of that decision made today."
Patrick Nelson, the head of the Irish FA, was also pleased with the decision. "The three decisions made today will be long-lasting and will resonate throughout the world.
"The IFAB has been around since 1886 and has been the guardians of the laws of the game for all that time, and has developed the game slowly and carefully and conservatively.
"But this is a momentous day, the beginning of something new in football."
Jonathan Ford, the chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, also expressed his delight at the unanimous decision. "The Football Association of Wales is extremely proud to be a member of this board and has devoted a great deal of time and deliberation and effort to this,” he said. "Fundamental and momentous decisions were made here today and we are very proud to be involved with that."
It was made clear by IFAB that video replays and decisions would not be shown on TV or in stadiums, as is the case with Hawkeye systems in tennis matches. This decision was made in fear of crowd rowdiness. Ford also stressed that the final say on whether a goal is awarded still belongs to the referee.
"If a giant screen comes up 'goal' but it is offside then could have a major issue with crowd management," said Ford.
Regan reiterated: "This is not designed to be put on giant screens, this is about technology designed to help the referee."
The Premier League were quick to show their happiness about the decision, releasing a statement almost immediately. It read: "The Premier League has been a long term advocate of goal-line technology. We welcome today's decision by IFAB and will engage in discussions with both Hawkeye and GoalRef in the near future with a view to introducing goal-line technology as soon as is practically possible."
