League set to test goal-line microchip

The Football Association may volunteer to try out new goal-line technology. The International FA Board, made up of representatives of the four home nations associations plus representatives of Fifa, the game's international governing body, is having its annual meeting in Cardiff on Saturday, and will be told of developments designed to help a referee judge whether the ball has crossed the line.

The latest innovation involves a microchip inside the ball. When it crosses the goal-line the referee is alerted by a bleeper. If it impresses the IFAB, then the Football League may be given the go-ahead to experiment with the new technology.

The FA's executive director, David Davies, said: "It's true we have been more interested in the use of technology than other members of the board. But this is not video technology, the referee will have a direct link with this form of technology rather than having to rely on a fourth official or video back-up.

"Whether this form of technology will find wider support than previous efforts remains to be seen but if there was enthusiasm I'm sure we would seriously discuss with our leagues whether they would be interested in this sort of innovation."

The presentation to the IFAB, by adidas, will also need to persuade Fifa's president, Sepp Blatter, who has resisted bringing technology into the game. What may change his mind in this case is the fact there is no involvement of video replays.

Another revolutionary proposal, by the Welsh FA, to make the offside rule only apply in penalty areas, appears doomed to failure. It may not even make the final agenda. One Welsh FA proposal that might succeed is an end to automatic red cards when the last player denies an an obvious goalscoring chance.

The IFAB have been asked to change the law so that if a penalty is awarded the player who committed the foul only receives a yellow card as the goalscoring opportunity is returned with the spot-kick.