Champions League matches will be played with two extra officials
for the next two seasons.
The introduction of the additional referees has been ratified by
FIFA at a meeting of the International Football Association Board
in Cardiff.
Denied: Germany keeper Neuer watches as Lampard's
shot lands behind the line in South Africa, but the goal wasn't
given
Gutted: Lampard can't believe his goal has been
denied
The move follows an experiment in the Europa League last season,
which will also persist with have the extra pair of eyes stationed
close to each goalline.
The officials will help the referee with particular
responsibility for judging when the ball has crossed the line and
infringements inside the penalty box.
Having such assistance at the World Cup would surely have
prevented Frank Lampard being denied a goal against Germany when
his shot clearly crossed the line and England went on to lose the
match 4-1.
The Cardiff meeting did not discuss the implementation of
goalline technology, but FIFA reiterated that the matter would be
on the agenda at their annual meeting in October.
The system of extra officials will also be used in the European
Super Cup this season, as well as a handful of other competitions
around the world after IFAB opened the experiment up to
confederations outside of Europe. The experiment is due to continue
until 2012.
IFAB, which comprises representatives from FIFA and the four
home nations, rejected the notion of goal-line technology in March
on the grounds of cost and the possible disruption it would
bring.
