Demands increase for Goal Line technology in Germany

A detailed view of the Hawk-Eye camera-based goal line system

According to Fox Sports Asia, the German Football League has been compelled to reverse its decision of declining the use of Goal line technology till 2015.

During a Bundesliga match between Hoffenheim and Nurnberg on Saturday, a call was made after a valid strike was ruled out. Kevin Volland‘s lob clearly crossed the line before curling back into play but referee Thorsten Kinhofer did not give the goal on consultation with linesman Detlef Scheppe.

The game which actually ended in draw would have ended in Hoffenheim’s favour, had the goal been given.

Kinhofer in the post match interview told Sky TV, “My first thought was that the ball had not gone in, it’s only when I saw the TV images that it became clear that it was a mistake, wherever it comes down to human judgment, errors happen. We referees would welcome having this kind of decision taken away from us, but that’s just not the case so we have to take the decisions, and this time it was the wrong one unfortunately.”

Even Nunberg’s goalkeeper who may have suffered had the Goal line technology been in use is also said to be in favour of using it.

“I’m all for it,” he said. “That would relieve the pressure on the linesmen. The whole point is not to make the referees look like idiots.”

Though FIFA has given nod to the implementation of goal line technology but the Bundesliga will not be applying the technology for at least two more years.

“A further assessment will be made nearer the time to determine whether to subsequently introduce the technology,” said a statement from the DFL last March, when it was announced that the technology “will not be implemented in the Bundesliga before 1 July 2015″.