Soccer's governing body Fifa is to test a special device involving a microchip sensor inside the ball next month as a possible solution to goal-line disputes during matches.
However, Fifa has repeated its opposition to the use of video replays, despite a clear-cut error in Wednesday's English premier league game between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
The new device, developed by ball manufacturers Adidas, will be tested at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on February 26, the day before the English League Cup final.
If successful it could be used in the final itself, a Fifa spokesman said.
Spurs were denied a late winner in the 0-0 draw when the referee and linesman failed to spot that a shot by midfielder Pedro Mendes had crossed the line by at least a metre before United goalkeeper Roy Carroll retrieved it.
Spurs manager Martin Jol and United boss Alex Ferguson expressed support for the use of video replays, but Fifa's director of communications, Markus Siegler, said yesterday: "We are strongly against the use of video evidence to decide the referees' decisions.
"The only thing that could be considered is the technology to decide whether the ball has crossed the line or not if - and so far it is not the case - a suitable technological solution is found."
* Bookmaker William Hills said it would honour bets placed on Mendes scoring the first goal.
- REUTERS
Soccer: Fifa to trial ball device amid English video replay row
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