'Smart' ball to help football ref

Unlike normal footballs, the new one could 'talk' to the referee

A new type of "bleeping" football will be tested at world youth championships after football chiefs were given a demonstration in south Wales.

The ball contains a microchip which can detect if is has crossed the goal line.

If the trial is successful, it could be used at the 2006 World Cup, which is being held in Germany.

Manufacturers adidas met international footballing chiefs to demonstrate the new ball in the Vale of Glamorgan on Saturday.

The "smartball" is designed to prevent refereeing mistakes from happening.

If and when the experiments are successful it could be used in the World Cup 2006 Brian Barwick, IFAB

In January, a referee failed to spot that Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll had dropped a ball over his line, which cost Tottenham Hotspur victory.

Members of the International Football Association Board, which included representatives from the Welsh, English, Scottish and Northern Irish football association bodies, were presented with a technological solution to the problem.

'Message'

In a statement before the meeting, the FA said: "The FA is willing to discuss and consider any form of goal-line technology that would improve decision-making while not disrupting the game.

"The key factor is whether a message can be transmitted immediately to the referee allowing him to take an immediate decision without interrupting play."

IFAB chief executive Brian Barwick said after the presentation: "I am absolutely supportive of it.

"My background is in television and I think we owe it to the supporters to have a look at this system.

"If and when the experiments are successful it could be used in the World Cup 2006."

He added it would not just monitor the goal-line but the boundaries of the pitch so the referee would know whether the ball went out of play.

Adidas spokesman Thomas van Schaik said they were determined to make sure the "smartball' was 100% accurate.

He said: "We are convinced in the quality of the system but we have to prove the 100% accuracy of this system so that the entire football family is convinced. If not, we should not rush things.

"It will help those incidents when it is impossible for the referee to judge."