The International FA Board (Ifab) meeting in Gleneagles in Scotland on Saturday decided to push ahead with experiments with two extra assistant referees standing behind each goal-line. “It is not a change of heart,” said Blatter.<\/p>\n
“We have identified very clearly how complicated both systems are and that for the time being they are not accurate.<\/p>\n
“After three years of tests, we have had no conclusive results – so we have decided to stop it and put it on ice.”<\/p>\n
Blatter added that the adidas system, involving a microchip in a ball, had failed in one of seven trial matches during the World Club Championships in Tokyo in December because of interference on the signal being sent to the referee's watch device. He said the problem of every ball manufacturer needing to insert a chip was also an issue.<\/p>\n
The ‘Hawkeye’ system, meanwhile, uses 12 cameras linked to a computer that combines the images, but Blatter said there were problems with that too. “You cannot ensure it works when there are a bunch of players inside the goalmouth and you cannot see the ball, or when there is poor visibility,” said Blatter.<\/p>\n
“Fifa are of the opinion that the systems are very costly, would not add anything to the game and would harm the position of the referee.”<\/p>\n