Judging soccer goals could go high-tech

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Goal-line technology could be used in major soccer competitions soon, according to FIFA president Sepp Blatter. The technology could be introduced in time for the Club World Championship in Tokyo in December 2007, Blatter said at the Soccerex conference on Monday. The "smartball," used at the under-17 worlds in Peru, involves a microchip embedded in the ball. It sends a signal to the referee whenever the ball crosses the goal line. "We have to help referees and have correct control," Blatter said. "We will conduct experiments during the youth competitions and I am convinced we will be able to use it soon." Blatter said he is against video replays. "We want to keep the human element. The use of video replays would take away the spontaneity and what is fantastic about football," Blatter said. "As long I am president, it will only be goal-line technology and there will be no chance for video replays." Blatter also pushed the "six-plus-five" system, meaning five players on a club must be from the home country.