The decision of whether a soccer ball has fully crossed the goal line—and thus counts as a valid goal—can affect more than just a match; sometimes, these rulings shape decades of debate in expert circles and among fans. The famous Wembley goal during the 1966 World Cup is perhaps the most well-known example.

For several years now, referees have been able to rely not only on their own judgment but also on accurate assessments from vision-based assistance systems when making these critical calls.

Goal Line Technology Marks the Beginning

Goal Line Technology (GLT) employs machine vision to determine if a ball has entered or crossed behind the goal line and then alerts the referee. These systems were introduced in 2013 by German company vieww and certified by FIFA that same year. The following year, the system—which was previously called GoalControl—was used at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Assistance for Complex Situations

Today’s cameras are no longer limited to assisting referees on goal-line decisions alone. The vieww VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system offers detailed imagery throughout the entire match and serves as a crucial tool for decision-making support. It incorporates VOL (Virtual Offside Line), which has been certified by FIFA, to help determine possible penalties, red cards, or offside situations. With VAR, incorrect decisions in soccer can be greatly minimized.

Since 2022, vieww GmbH and its operating partner have been supplying the German Football League (DFL) with all referee assistance technologies.

Last Updated: 2025-09-04 22:02:52