2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014_neutral

132Goal-line technologyGOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGYAuthor: Johannes HolzmüllerBrazil 2014 was the first FIFA World Cupin which officials were able to use goal-linetechnology, although it had already been usedat the FIFA Club World Cup in both 2012 and2013 as well as at the FIFA Confederations Cupin Brazil in 2013 following a historic decisionto approve the use of goal-line technology byThe International Football Association Board(IFAB) at a special meeting on 5 July 2012.Tender processThe decision to confirm GoalControl as theGLT provider in October 2013 followed acomprehensive tender process that began inFebruary 2013 and involved bid presentationsat the Home of FIFA in Zurich as well as siteinspections in Brazil. The Germany-basedcompany was selected ahead of the threeother FIFA-licensed GLT providers whoparticipated in the tender. While all fourcompanies had previously met the stringenttechnical requirements of the FIFA QualityProgramme, the final decision was basedon criteria relating more specifically tothe tournaments in Brazil, including thecompany’s ability to adapt to local conditionsand the compatibility of each GLT systemin relation to FIFA match operations. Thebids were also judged on cost and projectmanagement factors such as staffing andtime schedules for installation. GoalControlwas confirmed as the World Cup GLTprovider following the company’s successfulimplementation of the technology at the FIFAConfederations Cup in Brazil.The selected technologyThe GoalControl-4D system uses 14 highspeedcameras around the pitch, with sevencameras focused on each goal. Using specialdetection software, the ball is filtered outfrom the image sequences and its real-timeposition is automatically calculated as X, Y andZ coordinates as well as speed, making it 4D.If the ball has fully crossed the goal line, thecentral processing unit automatically sends anencrypted radio signal to the referee’s watchin less than one second, indicating a goal