FRANKFURT: German clubs have decided that the risk of human error is preferable to technical certainty and have decided against introducing goal-line technology into the Bundesliga.

The German league  (DFL) said that a proposal had failed to obtain the two-thirds majority needed. Only half of the top-flight clubs were in favour and only three of the 18 second-tier clubs thought the expense justifiable.

Champions Bayern Munich were one club known to be in favour of goal-line technology which was launched in the English Premier League with positive results this season.

DFL president Reinhard Rauball said: “I can announce the clubs of the Bundesliga and the second Bundesliga opted to do without it. This issue is off the table for now.”

Christian Seifert, chief executive of the league, indicated last year that he thought the margin of error was too wide though this has since been tightened by the international board.

In the most notable recent incident in the Bundesliga Stefan Kiessling was awarded a goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s win over Hoffenheim in October even though the ball went in through a hole in the side-netting.

Seifert said: “This was a democratic vote and we have to accept it but the professionalism of the Bundesliga does not depend on the introduction or not of goalline technology.”

Goalline technology will be in use at the World Cup finals in Brazil in June and July.

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