In March 2010, FIFA president Sepp Blatter decreed that goal-line technology (GLT) had no place in football - a "game for human beings, with errors on the field of play".
A few months later he changed his mind and admitted that Lampard's "ghost goal" had paved the way for a "historic" decision to introduce GLT for international football.
The plan was that no football team should leave Brazil in a similar sense of injustice like England 4 years ago.
THEN
Germany v England FIFA World Cup 2010
Lampard's 'ghost goal' arrived as England trailed Germany 2-1. Seconds after England midfielder Frank Lampard crashed an effort in off the underside of the crossbar in the last World Cup against Germany, only for the 'goal' not to be given. Replays clearly show that the ball had crossed the line. Unfortunately for England, the linesman had missed it and so did the referee. They eventually lost 4-1.
NOW
France v Honduras FIFA World Cup 2014
Benzema struck the ball, it hit the far post but it did not cross the line. But when it came back, it hit goalkeeper Valladares arm and trickled over the line, which then made it a goal, an own goal. The confusion was probably caused by the first part of the action where GLT said it's not a goal. Then the final part of the action, GLT said it is a goal.
The only difference from the two incidents is that NOW, the goal was awarded to France, while THEN, the goal was not awarded to England wasn't.
The confusion and uproar from the crowd opened our eyes to something else. For those seconds that GLT is making its decision, should play continue and then award or not award the goal at a later stage in the game? Or, should the decision be made immediately regardless of the confusion or delay it might cause before the restart?
How Goal-Line Technology Works
With the use of Hawk-Eye, GoalControl would be the first system to assist referees at a World Cup. The system was used at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil but no goal-line incidents took place.
Before being introduced into any football tournament or league, the system that consists of 14 cameras which track the co-ordinates of the ball was rigorously tested. Even before the World Cup, it was tested a number of times.
Generally the cameras will be placed on the roof or walls of the stadium. The cameras used are capable of removing the players from the image, to ensure the ball is fully visible. They track the ball when it comes into their range and they can tell when the ball crosses the goal line. Every time the ball crosses the line, the referee's watch will vibrate and signal that it is a goal.
The Hawk-Eye system betters the FIFA margin-of-error requirement of +/-3cm.
The climate cannot disrupt the cameras' view of the goal. The cameras are able to ensure that if visibility is good enough for officials to allow the match to go on, then it is also good enough for them to do their job. Moreover, mud on the ball will not affect the system.
Those watching at the stadium are able to see GLT in action when it is necessary or a decision has been made. The videos will be shown on the screens available at the stadiums. Television viewers will also be able to watch the Hawk-Eye videos.
