by Chi Ibe

It can be revealed that the Premier League might introduce Goal-line technology midway through the 2012-13 season after it was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Zurich, the BBC reports.

 Two systems – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef – have passed Fifa’s criteria for use.

The technology set to be launched at the December’s Fifa Club World Cup will be adopted if successful, at the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup.

The Premier League said it wanted it “as soon as practically possible”.

A statement following IFAB’s announcement added: “The Premier League has been a long-term advocate of goal-line technology.

So for excited football fans who have cried foul for years, here is how the Hawk-Eye works?

Hawk-Eye’s system works by using six cameras, focusing on each goal, to track the ball on the pitch.

The system’s software then uses “triangulation” to pinpoint the exact location of the ball.

If it crosses the goal-line an encrypted radio signal is sent to the referee’s wristwatch to indicate a goal has been scored.

In line with Fifa’s requirements, the whole process takes less than a second to complete.

FA general secretary Alex Horne said it was up to the Premier League, which is likely to centrally fund the technology for its member clubs, to decide on a timescale for implementation. “We welcome today’s decision by IFAB and will engage in discussions with both Hawk-Eye and GoalRef in the near future with a view to introducing goal-line technology as soon as is practically possible.”

“It may be December until the technology is absolutely finally approved and installed in stadia,” he said at a press conference in Zurich. “Priority is given to the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan.

Horne added that he felt it was “a hugely important day” for football.