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Sensor-Equipped Soccer Ball Tells Referees When It Crosses the Line

by Alon Avdi on December 17, 2007 at 11:42 AM



The winner in a game of soccer is often determined by the smallest of margins, one goal dividing the victor from the vanquished. It is no surprise, then, that a source of dispute between fans, players and coaches from opposing teams has frequently been whether the ball did in fact cross the goal line on a contested shot. Luckily, the Daily Mail reports that a developing technology may soon outfit soccer balls with sensors that tell referees whether the ball has crossed the line for a score or not.

To make the technology work, wires are planted on the field around the goals. These wires emit a magnetic field, locating the soccer ball that is specially-outfitted with a sensor. When the ball is shot toward the goalmouth, an encrypted signal informs referees whether the ball crossed the line for a goal. After a successful trial at a match in Japan, officials for England's Premier League will decide if they will adopt the technology in league play. The decision will also be put before the International Football Association Board, the body that governs tournament play across the world for events like the World Cup.

The technology's only shortcoming, it seems, is that it will rob super-fan soccer hooligans of a long-cherished reason to fight each other.

From the Daily Mail

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Tags: breaking+news, soccer, soccer ball, SoccerBall, sports, Sports Tech, SportsTech, top

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