Goal line technology to be used at 2007 World Club event

MADRID, Nov 21 (Reuters) Goal-line technology will be used in next year's World Club Championship following trials this year in junior competitions run by world football's governing body, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said today.

FIFA had planned to use the technology in this year's World Cup but shelved the idea after trials had proved inconclusive.

''In 2005 we did different tests at the Under-17 World Cup in Peru but the evidence wasn't clear so we will continue to carry out trials in junior competitions in 2007,'' Blatter told a news conference in Madrid.

''We will then use it at the 2007 World Club Championship and offer its use at other FIFA competitions too.'' Blatter said goal-line video equipment was the only type of technology that might be used to help referees, stressing the need for improved training for match officials.

''We need to have better training for referees and especially linesmen,'' he said.

''Referees need to be professional and the linesmen must be specialists. The 2009 Confederations Cup will only use specialist linesmen.'' REUTERS DH KP2136