FIFA has reiterated that it will test the novel and muchdeliberated concept of goalline technology (GLT) in football, following what its president deemed a fair and transparent process to select the technology provider.

Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter says a German company, GoalControl GmbH, has been awarded the contract following a tender process started in February to introduce the system at the Confederations Cup set for Brazil in June.

“Three companies from Germany and one from Britain had made bids to offer the technology. We are not obliged to give one, so it was open for everyone to decide… FIFA will now introduce one system that will be used at the Confederations Cup,” said Blatter, during a round table with reporters at the 38th CONCACAF Ordinary Congress in Panama City last week Friday.

If successful, the system will be introduced at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It is said that the cost of installing the technology in each stadium will be approximately US$260,000, while it will cost US$4,000 to operate it at each game.

With 12 host cities earmarked to host matches, the total cost of implementing the system at the next World Cup would be about US$3.1 million.

GoalControl’s technology, which uses 14 high-speed cameras — seven at each goal — beat out three other bidders in CAIROS, GoalRef and Hawk-Eye for the contract.

“The final decision was based on criteria relating specifically to the tournaments in Brazil, including the company’s ability to adapt to local conditions and compatibility of each GLT system in relation to FIFA match operations,” FIFA said in a statement.

“The respective bids were also judged on cost and project management factors such as staffing and time schedules for installation… the use of GoalControl 4D in Brazil is subject to final installation test at each stadium,” the statement continued.

England midfielder Frank Lampard’s disallowed effort in a 4-1 loss to Germany at the South Africa 2010 World Cup persuaded the FIFA chief to introduce the technology, though he had earlier thought it was unnecessary.

Lampard’s effort had clearly crossed the goal-line, and was dramatically confirmed with video replays.

The technology was first used in football during the Club World Cup in Japan last December. The English FA has also contracted a company to install the technology in its leagues, but UEFA has rejected the idea, claiming it’s too expensive.

The US Major League has also rejected implementation of the technology.

In essence, GLT is a method used to determine when the ball has completely crossed the goal-line with the assistance of electronic devices and at the same time assisting the referee in calling a goal or not. The objective of GLT is not to replace match officials, but to aid their decision making.