46 YEARS AFTER GEOFF HURST'S CONTROVERSIAL GOAL, GOAL LINE TECHNOLOGY FINALLY GETS A NOD.

After rigorous testing of the camera based Hawkeye system used in Tennis and Cricket and GoalRef, the ultra conservative International Football Association Board (IFAB) finally approved its introduction into football. The system which is foolproof uses a magnetic field can decide under one second if a goal has been scored without holding up play.

On the heels of a three hour special meeting of the IFAB in Switzerland yesterday, the football association General Secretary, Alex Horne confirmed that the premier league will be among the first to use one or both systems. Although, both systems will first be used at December's Club World Cup in Tokyo, where Chelsea will be one of the teams, and, if successful, at the 2013 Confederations Cup and, crucially, the 2014 World Cup.

Terry Clears The Ball After Crossing The Line In A Match Against Ukraine. Referee Waved For Play On.

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter ,once strongly against technology, changed his mind following Frank Lampard's disallowed effort for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup. He is now a firm advocate of technology being in place before the next World Cup in Brazil and reiterated that stance after Ukraine were denied a perfectly good goal against England in their final group game of Euro 2012.

However, Platini believes it would be an "historical mistake" if technology replaces human judgement and that it would serve as a dangerous precedent in terms of spreading to video replays for other contentious decisions like offsides and penalties.

The IFAB also formally approved the introduction of additional assistant referees after two years of experimentation in the Champions League, Europa League and Euro 2012, allowing competition organisers to run with which ever system they want.