FIFA Approves Cairos As Third Official Goal-Line Technology System

Cairos technologies AG, the parent company of Impire AG, has become the third FIFA licensed goal-line technology provider, after meeting all the test requirements. Cairos’ system was tested by the independent Swiss institute EMPA, and conducted its on pitch tests between Dec. 18-20, firstly at Karlsruhe’s Wildparkstadion, and then at the club grounds of the regional side ATSV Mutschelbach, in Germany (FIFA). The AP reported Cairos, a German system using magnetic field technology, "joins Hawk-Eye and GoalRef as officially approved projects." Last week, FIFA "invited bidders to compete for the World Cup and 2013 Confederations Cup contract." FIFA said that "it aims to choose the winner in April." A fourth system "has also completed testing and could join the race" (AP, 2/25). REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported the Cairos system "uses magnetic fields set up around the goals to determine whether or not the ball has crossed the line in situations where it is not clear to the naked eye" (REUTERS, 2/25).