FIFA OKs goal-line technology, headscarves

Soccer gave its stamp of approval Thursday to goal-line technology and headscarves for female Muslim players.

Also adopted was a proposal for a five-referee system to officiate matches - placing an additional assistant beside each goal.

The three decisions will be "long-lasting and resonate throughout the world," said Patrick Nelson, chief executive of the Northern Ireland association.

FIFA said it will introduce the goal-line mechanism at the seven-team Club World Cup in Japan in December, with plans to use it in Brazil at the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup.

"We want to make sure that the systems at the World Cup work at 150 percent, not 90 percent," said Jerome Valcke said, secretary general for the governing body.

FIFA will use both Hawk-Eye and GoalRef systems in Japan, after they won "unanimous" support from the International Football Association Board panel, Valcke said.

The English Premier League is expected to adopt one of the systems - which probably will cost up to $250,000 per stadium - during next season.



The ruling on headscarves reversed a ban on the Islamic hijab that has been enforced in FIFA competitions since 2007. Soccer rules prohibit equipment that is dangerous or makes religious statements.

The IFAB gave its OK after FIFA's medical committee decided two scarf designs do not threaten the safety of female players.

FIFA vice president Prince Ali of Jordan led a yearlong campaign to overturn the ban and allow Muslim women to play the game.

@sfgate.com

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