FIFA drop hints on technology

FIFA have revealed that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ could be the last tournament under the existing system.

The organizing body have come under intense scrutiny after the International Football Association Board's decision to reject goal-line technology and other aids for referees in March.

If the decision was made otherwise, Frank Lampard's goal during England's 4-1 defeat to Germany would have stood thanks to the help of goal-line technology.

But it didn't and the pressure on FIFA to budge has reached breaking point and forced Sepp Blatter and his team to reopen the decision they have always dreaded.

The best FIFA could do now is to plant two additional assistants behind the goal - a system that has been on trial in the Europa League.

However, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has given a light at the end of the tunnel after hinting that changes would be made before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Speaking to BBC, he said: "We're talking about a goal not seen by the referee which is why we are talking about new technology.

"But let's see if this system will help or whether giving the referee an additional four eyes will give him the comfort and make duty easier to perform, then why not?

"I would say that it is the final World Cup with the current refereeing system.

"The teams and the players are so strong and so fast. The game is different and the referees are older than all the players."

Valcke then conceded that the speed of the modern game have made the tasks of officials all the more difficult thus help must be rendered to assist them in their decision making.

"The game is so fast, the ball is flying so quickly, we have to help them and we have to do something and that's why I say it is the last World Cup under the current system."