Goal-line technology has been given the go-ahead by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

This followed a vote at Fifa headquarters in Zurich on Thursday.

Two systems - Hawk-Eye and GoalRef - have been approved after passing a series of scientific tests.

They will first be used at December's Club World Cup and, if successful, at the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup.

"With immediate effect, the manufacturers of goal-line technology can apply to FIFA for a licence to install their system. Before obtaining a licence, the technology must undergo a series of extensive laboratory and field tests as well as testing in simulated match situations," a Fifa statement read.

"Once the tests have been passed and the application requirements have been met, the system is accepted into the licensing programme. After signing the contracts with FIFA, the manufacturer receives official authorisation to install the goal-line technology worldwide.

"Once the system has been installed in a stadium, it undergoes a final inspection to check its functionality. The results of the final installation test must be accepted by the licensee's customer, i.e. the competition organiser, club or stadium operator, before the system can be put into operation.

"As soon as FIFA has received and checked all of the signed documents, the installation is awarded the FIFA QUALITY PRO mark. The goal-line technology can then be used in official matches."