Hawkeye almost ready http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1150082204 video The man behind Hawkeye is confident it will be ready for use in the Premier League next season. Dr Paul Hawkins, whose system is already used in cricket and tennis, says his technology is on course to meet FIFA requirements. The goal-line camera debate resurfaced at the weekend when Fulham's David Healy's shot crossed the line against Middlesbrough, but stand-in referee Andy D'Urso and his assistant did not give it. The Fulham striker has led the calls to bring in technology to clear up such issues and Hawkins says that the equipment will soon be ready after a successful summer of testing at Reading. "The system is now performing very well in a test environment," he told Sky Sports News. "So pretty much in any situation as soon as the ball crosses the line we can give a signal to the referee instantaneously to say whether or not the ball did, or didn't cross the line "At Reading it took about half-a-second from the time the ball crossed the line for us to give a signal to the ref. "And in the Premier League, seeing as they all have earpieces, that's an obvious way to communicate that to the referee." The system will incorporate six different cameras at Premier League grounds. Hawkeye requires six cameras focused on the goal When the ball crosses the line a loud beep sounds It will only be used to determine if the ball has crossed the line Options When the ball crosses the line, a loud bleep will sound, which removes the need to stop the game and review video footage - something that Fifa chief Sepp Blatter is keen to avoid. And even though referees outside the top flight do not use earpieces, Hawkins insists Hawkeye can be adapted. "Obviously some leagues and tournaments don't have that system, so it will be communicated via a watch or some other mechanism," said Hawkins (pictured). "There's lots of different options." The issue of goal-line technology was discussed at this year's International Football Association Board meeting in May, and the Premier League was given permission to press on with testing Hawkeye. Sports manufacturing giants adidas are also working on their Smart Ball - a football with a readable chip inside - and the Italian Football Federation are looking into their own high-performance digital camera system. Comfortable But having seen Hawkeye revolutionise tennis and cricket, Hawkins says his system won't be rushed just to satisfy demand and beat the competition. And Blatter's belief the technology will be in place "at the end of 2007", fits in perfectly with his schedule. "There's no doubt that we holds our hands up and say 'you can trust this system', it's not just us needing to believe that, but the governing bodies and everybody else," said Hawkins. "So it's much better that it takes a little bit longer and everyone gets comfortable with it than it coming in too soon and there being some issues."
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