Soccer ball microchip helps inattentive refs
This year's under-17 world soccer championship will be the official testing ground of a new technology: a microchip embedded in the soccer ball will transmit a signal to a watchlike device on the referee's wrist, generating a beep or vibration whenever a goal is scored. The chip, developed in part by Adidas, is being incorporated in response to an incident in a match on January 4 in which England's Tottenham was denied a clear goal against Manchester United when goalkeeper Roy Carroll dropped the ball behind the line while officials were apparently looking elsewhere. We're all for using technology to solve problems, but may we humbly suggest the International Football Association Board (IFAB) ruling body might want to look into hiring some new refs willing to keep their eyes on the ball?
[Thanks everyone who sent this one in]
