Short Soccer, March 2, 2013

Fifa approves fourth goal-line technology

A fourth system of goal-line technology has been approved and granted a licence, world governing body Fifa said yesterday. The German-produced GoalControl 4D used 14 high-speed cameras placed around the pitch and directed at both goals to determine whether the ball had entered the goal. On Monday, the German-manufactured Cairos system, which uses magnetic fields around the goals, was also granted a license. The systems previously approved are Hawk-Eye (which is used in tennis and cricket and is optical-based like GoalControl) and GoalRef, which uses magnetic fields. The four systems will all participate in a tender to provide goal-line technology at this year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Reuters

El Shaarawy extends Milan stint until 2018

AC Milan have tied Stephan El Shaarawy to an improved deal that will see the club's top striker remain with the Rossoneri until 2018, the Serie A club announced. El Shaarawy has been one of the few stand-out performers this season for a team who lost their backbone during a turbulent summer transfer period for the seven-time champions. The scorer of 16 league goals so far, the Italy international - who has an Egyptian father and Italian mother - helped keep Milan afloat during their worst ever start to a season in Serie A. AFP

Mourinho hometown to name street after him

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is to have a street named after him in Setubal, his Portuguese city of birth, the region's town hall announced. According to a resolution passed unanimously, the name of the Portuguese manager, who received the keys to the city - located roughly 50 kilometres south of Lisbon - in 2009, "must also be eternalised on the local geography". The street still needs to be designated by the town hall, but a local source told the Lusa news agency that Mourinho's name would be affiliated with one of Setubal's main streets. AFP

Foster quits retirement to play for England

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster, 29, has come out of international retirement after prematurely hanging up his England gloves two years ago, his manager Steve Clarke said. Reuters