Goal line technology for German football

Bundesliga clubs voted on Thursday to introduce goal line technology in matches played in the top flight of German football, German Football League (DFL) president Reinhard Rauball announced.

At the annual general meeting of the DFL in Frankfurt, the 18 Bundesliga clubs elected to follow the example of the Premier League in England by adopting the technology.

The Hawk-Eye system, as used in England, will be installed at each ground. It is based on cameras rather than a chip in the ball and costs a reported E150,000 ($A225,000) per stadium.

A previous motion, tabled in March, to use the technology in the top two national divisions was rejected due to the costs involved but has now passed only for the first division with a majority of 15-3.

German football was embarrassed last season as Stefan Kiessling was awarded a goal for Bayer Leverkusen when his header passed through the side-netting at Hoffenheim and when Mats Hummels had a goal incorrectly not given for Borussia Dortmund during the cup final with Bayern Munich.

The ruling body FIFA gave the nod to goal-line technology in 2012 and it was in place for the World Cup in Brazil. The English Premier League introduced it this season.

Europe's football body UEFA uses additional assistant referees for its events such as European Championships, Champions League and the Europa League.