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This is the goal-line technology system selected by FIFA for the World Cup

Dirty Tackle

FIFA finally settled on a goal-line technology system that will be used at this summer's Confederations Cup, and if all goes well, next summer's World Cup. The German GoalControl system (demonstrated in the video above with an overly dramatic soundtrack) does not require any modifications to goals, nets or balls and uses high-speed cameras. When a goal is scored, the referee's watch vibrates. So even if he's not paying attention at all, we shouldn't have a repeat of the Frank Lampard disallowed goal against Germany in 2010.

Here's a more detailed explanation of how it works from the company's website:

The GoalControl-4D system works with 14 high-speed cameras (7 per goal) around the pitch at the stadium roof/catwalk. The cameras are connected to a powerful image processing computer system which tracks the movement of all objects on the pitch and filters out the players, referees and all disturbing objects. The remaining object is the ball and the system knows its three dimensional x-, y- and z-position with a precision of a few millimeters in the coordinate system of the pitch. When the ball passes the goal line, the system sends a vibration- and optical signal to the officals´watches. Of course, all camera images of such goal event, and also of all near-goal events, are stored and can be replayed anytime.

According to the AP, GoalControl owner Dirk Broichhausen says the system will cost $260,000 per stadium to install, and $3,900 per match to operate -- considerable sums that could determine just how widespread the use of goal-line tech becomes in the near future. Perhaps some of those costs could be offset by renting out vibrating watches like the one the referees will wear to fans in attendance. That could be fun.

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