Hi-Tech Ball Primed for World Cup Debut
February 25, 2005
A new hit-tech soccer ball may help make the World Cup 2006 in Germany one of the least controversial in terms of goal decisions since the tournament began in 1932. The revolutionary ball will be armed with the technology to alert referees when it has crossed the goal-line, avoiding situations like the notorious Geoff Hurst strike for England in the 1966 final.
The decision to introduce the sci-fi ball at the World Cup next summer is likely to be approved by the International FA Board, soccer's ultimate law making body, at a conference in Cardiff, Wales over the weekend.
The ball, the product of a collaborative effort between German sports giant Adidas, Cairos Technologies and radio communications firm Fraunhofer, is shrouded in secrecy. Adidas researchers have been reluctant to talk about their plans to fit the balls with microchip sensors, designed to bring an end to controversial goal situations.
Goal-line alert
The technology will allow the exact position of the ball on the pitch to be monitored throughout the whole of a game. Once it has crossed the goal-line for a valid goal, the referee will receive an automatic bleep in his earpiece without any need for a fourth official watching pictures or instruments in the stands.
Officials from the German sports firm were reportedly angered by FIFA president Sepp Blatter announcement last month when the world soccer body's chief said there would be a presentation of the ball in Cardiff.
Adidas boffins claimed they had not yet completed their schedule of testing and development. Adidas have already conducted two successful tests, but need to conduct more trials at grounds during games before they launch the product.
Vorsprung durch Technik
Media reports since the FIFA announcement have indicated that Adidas and FIFA had set the target of the World Cup as the ball's baptism of fire. It would be the centerpiece of Germany's intended hi-tech tournament filled with state-of-the-art stadia and 21st-century technology.
As well as updating the game for the new millenium, FIFA are keen to avoid the refereeing decisions that dogged the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea and are seen to be bending to pressure to follow the lead of rugby and cricket where new technology has been introduced to the benefit of the sport.
The Adidas ball would also give Blatter the chance to show he is answering the calls to help referees without resorting to the use of TV replays, which he fiercely opposes.
Possible Bundesliga tests
After the presentation on Saturday, the International Board will discuss whether the ball will be given the green light for further trials of the ball in competitions. It is likely that the ball would be tested in the Bundesliga and in the German stadiums designated as World Cup venues, and even during Champions League games in Germany where conventional Adidas balls are already used.
If these tests were successful, the law making body would then convene for another meeting this time next year where it would decide whether the new ball could be included in the rules for the World Cup. If agreed, this would mean computerized soccer balls would see action in Germany next summer.