FIFA has softened its stance on the use of goal-line technology to help referees since last year's World Cup, when a goal scored by England midfielder Frank Lampard against Germany was wrongly disallowed. -Reuters Photo

LONDON: Premier League chief Richard Scudamore said on Sunday he is optimistic that goal-line technology may be introduced to English football by the start of the 2012-13 season.

Scudamore told BBC radio's Sportsweek programme that the league had held talks with world governing body FIFA about the prospect and were encouraged by the authority's response.

FIFA has long been opposed to technology in football, sticking firm to the view that the sport should be played in the same way from the World Cup to amateur football.

However Scudamore told the BBC opposition he was optimistic opposition to technology was softening.

“We'd like it now, and the good news is FIFA are now prepared to listen,” Scudamore said.

“It's gone on far too long, it's an embarrassment to us as football administrators. We feel the technology is there, we should be able to use it and it's just a question of how we can persuade FIFA it can be done.

“I would like to have it the season after next - next season is too early but certainly the season after next, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't.”

Scudamore also said the league would try to avoid a repeat of the scheduling pile-up which saw this year's FA Cup final played on the same day as a round of Premier League fixtures that included Manchester United clinching the title.

“We'll look at the calendar next season,” he said.

“We know it's on the same weekend, whether we can organise it so that there's nothing on the same day... we'll absolutely try.

“The FA having committed to the Champions League (final), we knew this season would be difficult because of the post-World Cup start, but we'll try to do something about it for next season.”