ZURICH: The Hampshire FA Senior Cup Final between Eastleigh FC and AFC Totton on May 16 at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, will be the remarkable focus for world attention.

That is one of the games which FIFA has approved for live experimentation test in the second-stage testing system which will effectively decide whether Hawk-Eye and/or GoalRef win the International Board go-ahead on goal-line technology. 

The board decided in March that the two systems could be approved for national  and international use if they came through further testing this spring and early summer.

FIFA has now confirmed the testing process thus:

Between May 10 and the beginning of June, EMPA (the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) will test both systems with the following aim: to rigorously assess the reliability and accuracy of each system, as well as the robust nature of the technologies.

IFAB has confirmed the second test phase will be comprised of four different elements:

1 – Field Tests. These will take place in a football stadium chosen by the GLT system provider. EMPA will conduct a greater volume of shots on an empty goal, shots against an impact wall, shots on a goalkeeper, and the sled test, as per Test Phase 1;

2 – Training Sessions. A series of simulated scenarios on the field using players will assess the GLT systems with an increased number of players in and around the goalmouth.

3 – Laboratory Tests. Both GLT systems will be tested against a variety of ambient and technical conditions. This will include simulating different climatic conditions (including rain, smoke/fog and heat/humidity), testing against the impact of proximity to mobile phone transmitters or other magnetic field distortions (e.g. TV cameras, LED advertising boards) and tests on the watches which would be worn by the match officials.

4 – Real ‘Live’ professional matches. To ensure that every eventuality has been considered in the two testing phases, each company is also required to have their systems tested in two separate ‘live’ matches.

Only the EMPA observer in the stadium will have access to the GLT system readings, and the system will NOT be utilised by the match officials. Therefore the GLT system will have no influence on the outcome of the matches in which the system is being tested.

This is where the Hampshire FA Senior Cup Final comes in. The match-up betweeen Eastleigh FC and AFC Totton on May 16 at St Mary’s Stadium will be used as the Hawk-Eye match test. A second fixture will be confirmed shortly. 

GoalRef’s system will be tested in two separate matches. This could be either two Danish Superligaen matches, or one league fixture and a forthcoming international friendly match. 

The Phase Two test results will be provided to IFAB in order for a definitive decision on the use of GLT technology to be made at its Special Meeting in Kyiv on July 2.

= = = =