Goal-line technology given go-ahead

The Premier League has voted to introduce goal-line technology from the 2013-14 season. British-based Hawk-Eye has been awarded the contract to provide the system. Hawk-Eye uses seven cameras per goal to detect the ball and claims its system is "millimetre accurate, ensuring no broadcast replays could disprove the decision". 1. Seven fast-frame cameras located above and around each goal, such as on a stadium's roof, track the ball's movement within the goal area. 2. Computeroftware analyses information from all the cameras and, as soon as it detects the ball has crossed the goal line, sends a signal to the official's watch. The result can be relayed within one second and is said to be millimetre accurate. 3. Hawk-Eye can also provide definitive replays to TV outlets. The Football Association will install a system at Wembley Stadium in time for August's Community Shield. Top-flight clubs voted to adopt the system during a meeting of the 20 Premier League chairmen on Thursday. Hawk-Eye is known for providing tennis and cricket with ball-tracking technology. Its football system notifies the referee if the ball has crossed the goal line via a vibration and optical signal sent to the officials' watches within one second. Inventor Paul Hawkins said: "It will not slow the game down - it is not going to become like rugby. "In under a second we will provide the information to the watch, then afterwards we will show a TV replay that will definitively prove what we showed the referee was correct. "Football's a great game. It does not need enhancements to add to the drama. Our technology is there to ensure decisions are correct." Once work is under way, installation of the system for the 17 Premier League clubs who avoid relegation and the three teams promoted from the Football League is expected to take up to six weeks to complete. Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, added: "When these incidents come along, they are so controversial, so seismic, that it is all about getting it right.