Goal-line technology gets go-ahead if companies have insurance

Two goal-line technology companies have been given licences to start installing their systems around the world - but have been warned by Fifa they must have insurance in case the equipment breaks down.

England's John Terry clears Marko Devic of Ukraine off the line during their Euro 2012 clash.

Fifa has ordered goal-line technology companies to take out insurance cover in case clubs or leagues take legal action claiming the systems are not working properly.

Hawk-Eye and GoalRef have both been given authorisation to install their systems worldwide after being given licences by Fifa.

But the companies have had to provide insurance so that if the systems fail - either failing to spot the ball has crossed the line or registering wrongly that the ball was over the line - they are covered if legal action is launched against them.

It also covers any claims if a player or official says they have been injured by the equipment.

The announcement came a year after Fifa began an exhaustive search for systems which could reliably detect whether or not a ball had crossed a goal-line.

The governing body said both systems still had to pass tests in stadiums where they had been installed before they could be used for official matches - with the forthcoming Club World Cup this December in Japan set to be the debut event for both systems.

Fifa plans to use the GoalRef system in one of the two stadiums used for the competition and Hawk-Eye in the other.

"Once a system has been installed in a stadium, the system undergoes a final inspection to check its functionality," the organisation said.

"This is carried out by an independent test institute and the results of this so-called 'final installation test' must be successful.

"Only a positive final installation test qualifies a system to be used in official matches."

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