Posted by Stuart Grimshaw | Posted in tech | Posted on 04-08-2009
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.”
However, not everyone agreed and some of the players in the tournament complained that the ball did not “feel right” and wasn’t as easy to control as a normal ball.
Hawkeye, the company behind the systems used in Cricket & Tennis are also working to develop a version of their technology that works for football, working at Craven Cottage and Fulham’s training ground.
Hawkeye claims that their system is accurate even if only 25% of the ball is visible and works off multiple cameras and provides an audible signal to the referee if the ball crosses the plane of the goal, but doesn’t activate when the ball goes over the bar.
Hawkeye also appears to be the preferred system of the Premier League, their website quotes a Premier League spokesman as saying:
“We think [Hawk-Eye’s football system] is the right blend of simplicity and technology.”
The Hawkeye system would appear to match the IFAB’s criteria more closely as it requires no changes to the pitch the ball or other equipment, but until FIFA removes it’s technology blinkers and gets some forward thinking people in charge any system is just a folly, a research project for companies to plow their money into with very little chance of return.
Neither company is happy with IFAB’s decision to shelve goal line technology in favour of 2 more people for the crowds to hurl abuse at, Hawkeye’scheif boffin and MD, Paul Hawkins had this to say about compensation for the time and money they spent.
“We have spent about half a million pounds and have proved it works,” said Hawk-Eye managing director Paul Hawkins. “We think it’s reasonable that they should pay.”
Christian Holzer, chief operating officer of Cairos was equally unimpressed
“We have spent millions of euros and are really disappointed, Our system works but they didn’t give us any reason for stopping it.”
Pretty much anyone who’s anyone has had their comment, and the only people who think it’s a good idea to have extra eyes are Sepp Blatter & Michel Platini.
