As debate rages around the globe about the potential for robot killing machines to run amok, feasting on the flesh of their vanquished foes there’s an even more dangerous development coming from boffins in workshops all around the world … soccer playing robots.
In the previous 2 parts of this short series we looked at the history of goal line technology and the current stalemate, in this final part I take a look at the future, and what technology is currently being developed.
In 2005, Adidas tested a system they developed in conjunction with German company Cairos. Their idea involves planting cables in the pitch that give off a magnetic field that a sensor in the ball is able to pick up. The 2005 U17 World Cup in Peru gave the company insights into the shortcomings of their system and 2 years later they helf a seperate trial during the 2007 World Club Cup in Japan which was successful and is cited by many as proof that goal line technology can work. Adidas’s Head of FIFA Affairs was quoted at the time as saying
“Until now we are very satisfied, no ball was damaged, all the systems during the games worked and the players’ feedback here has been very positive.”
footy-boots.com have a great article on the evolution of footy boots and the science of soccer, they’ve also got a great video featuring Alex Sass from football boot new boys Under Armour.
So check out their post and watch the video, well worth 3:38 of your time.
In my last article I covered the history of goal line technology, and how despite the best efforts of various FAs and manufacturers, FIFA still refuse to entertain any encroachment of technology onto the pitch.
In March 2008 the IFAB
Why does IFAB hold such a fear of technology? Ever since it’s inception the IFAB has maintained that the appeal of football is it’s simplicity (despite what they did to the offside law) and that any introduction of technology complicates the game.
They also insist that the rules must be able to be applied at all levels of the game, and any technology must be able to be used right from the very top of the game to the bottom. However as any Sunday League player will tell you, they struggle to get a referee most weeks, and use spectators for linesmen, never mind finding another 2 officials to watch behind the goals, which is the current solution preferred by IFAB (or FIFA and it’s 4 IFAB votes at least). This idea will be tested during the 2009/10 Europa League where each match will have a total of 6 referees!
FIFA president, Sepp Blatter remains firm on his organizations anti-technology stance:
“We are too conservative and behind technology but we’re not so far behind tennis,” said Blatter. “In tennis, you stop the game. In football the game goes on, it never stops.”
It’s all too easy to pick holes in that argument, because football does stop. After every contentious decision players crowd the referee, arguing, shouting and intimidating him, it would take a lot less time to resolve it via a video replay. It works well for Rugby which is just a free flowing as football.
Whenever you ask someone about technology in football, the first thing someone mentions is goal line technology, so lets get it out of the way with a short series on the subject, and then we can get on with the real gadgets.
Controversial incidents are nothing new in football, and they usually involve England one way or another. They’re certainly involved in the 2 most famous incidents, the 1966 World Cup Final is probably best known for Geoff Hurst’s 3rd goal and in 1986 England were knocked out of the world cup by Argentina after Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal (But then he went and did this …)