Not too long ago, we said that the smart ball might be used at the World Cup. Well, FIFA said that though they would have wanted to, this is not yet possible.

The smart football containing an electronic chip will not be used at the 2006 World Cup, FIFA said Monday.

FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi said: “The technology is not yet ready.”

Inspite of the declaration, the ball with the chip will be presented anyway. The fact is that it is not the chip in the ball, but the tracking system, that made the ball unusefull for the tournament. The balls will still contain the said chip.

The official tournament ball will be unveiled during the draw ceremony on Friday evening.

It contains a microchip, about 1.5cm, which sends out a radio signal when the ball crosses the touchline, as if it had touched an electric fence.

That signal is relayed by up to 12 antennae positioned in the corners of the pitch to a computer, which then sends a message to a watch worn on the referee’s wrist in less than one second.

Adidas is “still developing the tracking system, and when we are convinced it is 100 per cent bulletproof, 100 per cent perfect, then that will be the time for it to be used”, the spokesman added.

Source: Reuters.co.uk, via silicon.com