Goal-line technology gets ref´s backing

A leading referee has given his backing to the goal-line technology that is set to be rolled out in the Premier League next season.

Dutch official Bjorn Kuipers will take charge of the FIFA Confederations Cup final between Brazil and Spain on Sunday, with the HawkEye system having been in place throughout the tournament.

The technology, which enables officials to tell if the ball has crossed the line, has not been called into action so far in the competition but will be employed again in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, as well as in the English top-flight from the 2013-14 campaign.

And Kuipers acknowledged that he could see the benefits of having goal-line technology in place.

“Until now we haven’t had to use it because there was no moments involving critical situations in this tournament,” he said.

“But we’ve had a very good explanation about this goal-line technology. We have a watch and when the ball crosses the line, it vibrates and beeps and that will be marked as a goal on my watch.”

Brazil’s showdown with world and European champions Spain looks set to provide the Confederations Cup with a fitting finale.

The tournament has featured a host of memorable matches and Kuipers is looking forward to his role in proceedings.

“These countries are great football countries – Brazil and Spain,” he added. “But in every match we prepare. We prepare match analysis, we look for the key players, we look about the style of playing, we look about who makes long passes, what they do with corner kicks.

“We analyse every single player and we analyse the matches, so we are prepared very well.”