THE Football Association have indicated they would be willing to accept the introduction of goal-line technology to prevent mistakes such as the one that cost Tottenham victory at Old Trafford.

The failure of referee Mark Clattenburg or his assistant Robert Lewis to spot Roy Carroll dropping Pedro Mendes' speculative 55-yard effort a yard over his line has led to another clamour for video technology to be introduced.

While the FA remain opposed to the use of television replays to determine incidents that occur within the course of a game such as penalties and dismissals, they feel the use of technology to establish whether a ball has crossed the line is worth trialling.

German ball manufacturers adidas are due to make a presentation to the International Football Association Board in Cardiff on February 26, pointing out the benefits of their latest invention, a ball with a microchip that bleeps once it has fully crossed the goal-line.

It has been reported that FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated the ball would be trialled at next month's Carling Cup final, although this seems highly unlikely as the Football League have not been informed of the plan and their own sponsorship contract with Mitre would prevent an adidas ball being used in the game.

Instead, adidas hope the IFAB, which comprises of four members from FIFA and one each from the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish unions, will vote in favour of trialling the ball at some point in the near future.

Disruption

Six IFAB votes would be enough to set up a trial and while the FA wish to reserve judgement until after the Cardiff summit, the indications are that they would agree to such a move providing guarantees were given that the game would not be held up.

"The FA is willing to discuss and consider any form of goal-line technology that would improve decision-making while not disrupting the game," said an FA statement.

"At its next meeting on February 26, the IFAB will be presented with a proposed technological solution involving a microchip in the ball.

"The key factor is whether a message can be transmitted immediately to the referee allowing him to take an immediate decision without interrupting play."

Opposing managers Martin Jol and Sir Alex Ferguson both called for the introduction of video technology immediately after last night's game. The Tottenham boss argued that if he could see a replay of the Carroll incident within seconds, the information could be relayed to the referee through an earpiece.

Meanwhile Ferguson, a fierce opponent of video aids in the past, admits his mind has been changed over recent times, particularly after reading a magazine article by Bologna coach Carlo Mazzone.

That suggested if a referee could not reach a decision within 30 seconds, play should be allowed to continue.

"What happened does add weight to the argument about technology because the ball was clearly over the line," said the Scot.

"My contention has always been that football is a winter game and it would take too long for these decisions to be reached.

"But I was reading an article by the Bologna coach saying that the referee has 30 seconds to make up his mind. There would be some sense in that because it can take that amount of time to take a goalkick.

"But even using technology to decide whether a shot was over the line would represent a new era for football.

"It would be a good start and then we can see how it progresses."

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