Sepp Blatter's backing for goal-line technology

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given strong backing to goal-line technology saying: "If it works we will do it."

Although UEFA president Michel Platini will travel to Wales in March to try to prevent football's law-makers giving the go-ahead to trials of the goal-line systems, Blatter looks to have completely changed his position of 12 months ago.

The FIFA president said even though the International FA Board, the law-making body, was conservative by nature he was confident they would embrace goal-line technology if the systems were up to scratch.

Blatter told CNN: "My position is that if they work then we will do it. If there is one of these systems that is accurate and immediate, and also not too complicated, then I think goal-line technology has a good chance to be accepted.

"If it works the board will say 'Yes', even if they're conservative. Michel Platini is totally against any technical device but for the time being we are talking about only goal-line technology."

The IFAB is made up of FIFA, who have four votes, and the four British associations, who have one vote each.

Scotland and England have been in favour of goal-line technology for some time and the support of Blatter means FIFA and the Wales and Northern Ireland associations are also likely to change their 'anti' stance and agree to experiments.