GOAL-LINE technology developed by a Hampshire company could be introduced to football as early as next year – thanks in part to a trial at the home of Saints.

FIFA inspectors are this weekend testing the Hampshire - developed Hawk-Eye system at St Mary’s Stadium to determine its effectiveness.

Football’s world governing body is considering allowing the use of cameras in professional matches to determine whether a ball has crossed the line or not.

The Football Association’s general secretary, Alex Horne, has said that if tests are successful then the technology could be implemented as soon as the 2012/13 Premier League season.

That means it could be used at matches at St Mary’s next season – providing the club wins promotion from the Championship.

Nine different systems – one of which is Hawk-Eye – are currently being reviewed by the independent inspectors, who have been employed by FIFA.

Winchester-based company Hawk-Eye already boasts a worldwide reputation, with its technology having been used in major tennis and cricket competitions for a number of years.

The Goalminder system is another being put through a series of tests, at Rochdale’s Spotland ground, this week, while the Adidas-backed firm Cairos is also being assessed.

A second round of testing will take place next year, before the International Football Association Board (IFAB) – the sport’s lawmaking body – meet in July to make a decision on introducing goal-line technology.

The IFAB is made up of the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish FAs – who each hold one vote – and FIFA, who represent the rest of the world, and hold four votes.

Three-quarters of the members are required to approve a rule change, meaning FIFA’s support is essential.

Hawk-Eye have been hoping to extend their expertise to football since 2006, when they first began developing goal-line equipment.

And the company believe they now have an incredibly accurate system.

Hawk-Eye uses a series of cameras that operate at up to 500 frames per second to track the ball over the goalline and then send a signal to the match officials, which can be communicated via a watch or earpiece.