On Saturday in Bagshot, England, the I.F.A.B. decided to proceed with the testing of two-goal line technologies before a vote in July, which could lead to the use of the winning system in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Associated Press reported that the board had assessed eight systems but only Hawk-Eye (used in tennis tournaments) and GoalRef received “very positive” scores.

“We are very comfortable the technology is proving itself,” the English F.A. general secretary Alex Horne said.

In other news, the board overturned its 2007 ban on hijabs in women’s soccer, though a final vote is still pending; agreed to the withdrawal of a FIFA proposal to add a fourth substitute in extra time; and announced it would hold further discussions on the so-called triple punishment for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Instead of a red card, a penalty kick and a suspension, offenders will be required spend an afternoon painting over the “FIFA Rulz!!!” graffiti that Sepp Blatter has spray-painted in five-star hotel rooms around the world. (O.K., that last part isn’t true, but they will consider easing the punishments.)

The International Football Association Board, the body that determines and updates the rules of soccer, held a meeting Saturday that moved the use of goal line technology a step closer to reality.

A final decision on the technology is not expected; the board is set to merely review the progress on the topic.

Talking Points What Else

Will The Board

Be Discussing? Goal line is not the only topic on the agenda for the I.F.A.B. board this weekend. Among the other topics:

¶ The addition of a fourth substitute in extra time.

¶ Easing the so-called triple punishment of a red card, a penalty kick and a suspension for the prevention of a goal-scoring opportunity.

¶ The elimination of a ban on hijabs, the headscarves worn by women’s players from some Muslim countries. It has been called both a safety issue and a political statement, though an accommodation may finally be at hand thanks to Velcro.

But that does not mean the stakes aren’t high. FIFA’s president, Sepp Blatter, has been a vocal proponent of the use of technology. He was mortified when a clear goal by England’s Frank Lampard (above) went unrecognized during a loss to Germany at the 2010 World Cup, and he said this week that if a similar event happened in a future World Cup, “I would die.”

UEFA’s president, Michel Platini, has been just as adamant that the game remain in human hands. He has instead pushed for the use of two extra linesmen on the goal line — something that could have helped A.C. Milan in its recent showdown with Juventus — and he has powerful allies like Franz Beckenbauer and the FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan in his corner.

“Referees are part of the game and I would feel a bit depressed if every day something is coming out about how they are not capable of doing their jobs,” said Prince Ali, who doesn’t have a vote. “There is no rush.”

(Also, Platini probably wants Blatter’s job, so getting his way over his rival on this point is not merely a debating matter.)

There is also, as there always is with top-level world soccer, the question of money to consider, too.

Two British firms, Hawk-Eye and Bolton-based Goalminder, are amongst those competing to win what could prove to be a multi-million pound contract. In order to pass the first phase of tests, each of the eight companies had to demonstrate that their technology adhered to benchmarks set by FIFA. These include notification of a goal being sent to the referee’s watch within one second of the ball crossing the line and strict standards on accuracy. After reviewing the test results in a meeting on Saturday morning, the IFAB board will decide which companies should proceed to a second phase of testing that will be conducted between March and June. Those tests will incorporate a practical examination of how each system reacts in simulated match situations.

And while Platini has his opinion about further testing, he also may have the vote stacked in his favor this weekend. Any rule change requires six of the eight votes of the I.F.A.B. members, ensuring that big changes are only approved with broad support. (The committee is made up of representatives of the four “home” nations — England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — and four representatives from FIFA.)

Since Platini holds one of the votes, and has said he will vote no, that means six of the other seven members must side with Blatter to ensure the testing continues.

Corner kick: This topic has prompted strong debate on the Goal blog before. Where do you stand today?