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What Is Goal-Line Technology (GLT)?
Goal-line technology (GLT) determines whether or not the ball has crossed the goal line in a soccer game. It uses cameras and sophisticated electronic aids to tell the referee, via a wristwatch, within a second if a goal has been scored.
Soccer is a relatively low-scoring sport, which makes goals super-important. Getting a decision wrong over whether or not the ball has crossed the goal-line can make a big difference to the outcome of a game.
Most leagues use a system where up to seven cameras are trained on each goal from a variety of angles at that end of the soccer pitch. Between them, they create an incredibly accurate picture of where the soccer ball is at any time. This can pinpoint to within a millimeter exactly where the ball is – and whether or not it has crossed the goal-line.
The cost of implementing goal-line technology means that while it is used in leading tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League and leagues like the EPL and the Bundesliga, it tends not to be present at less illustrious games.
Fast Facts for Players
- Goal-line technology uses cameras and electronics to instantly tell referees if the ball has crossed the goal line.
- High-profile mistakes, like unawarded goals in 2005 and 2010, pushed FIFA to adopt it by 2014 for major soccer events.
- It’s in top leagues like the Premier League and tournaments like the World Cup, but costs limit it in some places like MLS.
- Unlike the opinion-based VAR, goal-line tech gives a clear yes-or-no answer on goals.
- It improves accuracy and betting trust, but is criticized for cost, reducing human input, and rare errors.
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Why Did Goal-Line Technology Begin?
By the early years of the 21st century, technological advances had allowed the introduction of scanning systems that had a big impact on several sports. Tennis and cricket were among them, but soccer’s rulers stood firm against the march of tech – until several high-profile incidents made its implementation inevitable.
In January 2005, Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll dropped a hopeful long shot by Tottenham’s Pedro Mendes several feet behind the goal-line – but no goal was awarded and the game finished 0-0.
At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a shot from England’s Frank Lampard hit the bar and bounced clearly behind the Germany line. No goal was awarded and the Germans won 4-1.
The latter incident was the tipping point for FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who instigated a series of tests on various tech systems.
By 2014, goal-line technology was in operation in the Premier League – and most, but not all, elite club and international competitions acted likewise.
How Does Goal-Line Technology Work?
Goal-line technology works by tracking, precisely and definitively, the location of a soccer ball – specifically, to show whether or not the whole of the ball has crossed the line. A goal should not be awarded if even a fraction of the ball is not clearly behind the line.
A vivid illustration of the impact of such a decision occurred in January 2019, as Liverpool were denied an equalizer at Manchester City by goal-line technology when virtually all – but not all – the ball was behind the line. City won the game 2-1 – and went on to pip Liverpool to the EPL title by just one point.
Most leagues that have adopted goal-line technology use Hawk-Eye technology, which uses six or seven cameras behind each goal to track the ball.
How Is Goal-Line Technology Different From VAR?
The virtual assistant referee (VAR) is another tech-driven innovation that has entered the soccer space in the last decade. VAR is now in use in many competitions around the world, including this summer’s major tournaments. However, there is a significant difference between them.
Goal-line technology offers a simple, objective answer to a simple question: Did the ball cross the line or not?
VAR, on the other hand, comes with a significant measure of subjectivity – which means that, even after a decision has been made with its help, heated debate can rage over the merits or otherwise of that call.
Competitions Using Goal-Line Technology
While it can be argued that the simple yes-no verdict delivered by goal-line technology means it has been a success, not every top league or competition uses it.
Major League Soccer (MLS) is one league that has yet to implement goal-line technology. Another, surprisingly, is La Liga. In both instances, the cost of making stadiums ready to use them has been cited as the reason for opting out.
However, many other countries and international competitions do use the tech available.
More than 100 stadia have been fitted with installations licensed by FIFA. Most use Hawk-Eye, while the others use Vieww, the other authorized provider.
The competitions where you will find goal-line technology in use include:
- FIFA: World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Club World Cup
- UEFA: Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference,
- European Championship
- CONCACAF: Nations League
- AFC: Asian Cup
- England: Premier League, Championship, FA Cup, League Cup
- France: Ligue Un
- Italy: Serie A, Serie B, Coppa Italia
- Germany: Bundesliga
- Netherlands: Eredivisie
- Scotland: Scottish Cup, League Cup
You can wager on many competitions that use goal-line technology at the online sportsbooks, as well as the competitions that don’t.
Arguments Against Goal-Line Technology
Despite the widespread implementation of goal-line technology at the top levels of soccer across the world, there is some significant opposition to it.
Among the reasons why some fans, officials, and governing bodies do not approve are:
Some observers feel that the occasional blunder by the officials in charge of a soccer match is simply part of the game. The authority of the referee and his assistants should be paramount – even in situations when a controversial incident takes place on their watch.
This is not an easy position to maintain, given the speed and simplicity of decisions informed by goal-line technology.
Installing goal-line technology at a stadium is expensive. If a league decides to make this technological leap forward, all of its stadia need to be similarly upgraded.
La Liga is the only one of the top five European leagues that still does not use the tech; its president, Javier Tebas, is said to have balked at the $3.2 million ($3.2M) cost.
It’s a similar story with MLS, where commissioner Don Garber said it would cost $260,000 to install goal-line technology in every ground.
Despite the high-quality technology used by Hawk-Eye and other providers, there have been rare occasions when the wrong decision has been made.
One example occurred in 2020, when Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland carried the ball over his own line against Sheffield United. The cameras’ view was partially obscured and an image could not be created – which meant the goal that should have stood was not awarded.
How Goal-Line Technology Impacts Your Betting
The fact that you can be virtually certain of an accurate verdict when the ball is close to the line can help you when you are placing wagers at leading soccer betting sites or at retail sportsbooks.
Many soccer betting markets relate to the number of goals scored in a game. They include the first goalscorer market, both teams to score, and the total recorded by both teams combined.
When you are planning your soccer betting strategy, it can be reassuring to know that, with goal-line technology in place, you should not be on the receiving end of a shocking decision that dooms your wager to disaster.
The Bottom Line
Goal-line technology employs cameras and electronics to accurately decide if a ball has crossed the goal line. It has been an established feature of soccer’s most prestigious leagues and tournaments for more than a decade. Its introduction met initial resistance from the game’s rulers, but since it was implemented it has offered considerable assistance to officials around the world.
It’s common in major events like the FIFA World Cup, though its cost keeps it out of smaller competitions. Unlike the subjective VAR system, it provides a simple yes-or-no answer using systems like Hawk-Eye.
Sometimes, it faces criticism for being quite costly, reducing human judgement and occasional errors, but it still boosts betting trust with accurate goal rulings.
FAQs
Why does La Liga not have goal-line technology?
Does EFL have goal-line technology?
How many cameras does goal-line technology use?
What is the difference between VAR and goal-line technology?
What happens if goal-line technology doesn’t work?
References
- UTD Podcast: The goal that wasn’t a goal (Manchester United)
- 11mm that kept the title race alive? John Stones’ incredible goal-line clearance denied Liverpool opening goal by the slimmest of margins (Daily Mail Online)
- La Liga branded ’embarrassing’ by Barcelona for lack of goal-line technology in Real Madrid’s controversial El Clásico win (CNN)
- MLS Commissioner Don Garber says league won’t adopt goal-line technology by 2014 (MLSSoccer)
