World Cup seeks tech help

The 2014 FIFA World Football Cup will be the first to benefit of “goal line technology”. The system was tested a year ago in Brazil at the Confederation Cup. The system was designed by German company Goal Control.

It's a first in such tournaments where referees will be supported by technology to identify “ghost goals”. The system was installed and tested on all 12 stadiums that will host World Cup matches before the go-ahead was given.

The system uses 14 high-speed cameras located around the pitch with seven of them focusing on each goal via different angles. The ball's position is continuously and automatically captured in 3D and the indication of whether a goal has been scored is immediately confirmed within one second to a watch worn by the each referees via a vibration.

However, the human factor is the most important one in football. The referees will have the final decision whether to use the technology or not in the matches they will be officiating. 

Here's an in depth look at the goal line technology: