ZURICH, March 7, 2010 (AFP) - The International Football Association Board has rejected the introduction of goal-line technology, sparking an angry reaction from some football managers. The decision was taken after a presentation of experiments during which cameras were placed on the goal posts and electronic chips inserted in the ball to determine if it had crossed the goal line. Hawk-Eye technology using cameras and computers is already used in tennis and cricket. A unanimous decision was not reached by board members on goal-line technology, but according to a source close to the dossier, a majority came out in principle against its introduction. "Concerning goal-line technology, the board concluded that goal-line technology would not be pursued," the sport's world governing body FIFA said in a statement Saturday. The news brought a sharp reaction from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who said it was "beyond comprehension" that global football chiefs had maintained their opposition to … [Read more...] about Anger as FIFA rejects goal-line technology
Cricket world cup quarter finals
Ancelotti confident Chelsea can fulfil Euro dream
LONDON, April 5, 2011 (AFP) - Carlo Ancelotti has warned Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that Chelsea are finally ready to fulfil their dream of winning the Champions League. Ancelotti's side have endured a difficult season after falling 11 points behind United in the Premier League and going out of both domestic cup competitions. But the Chelsea manager knows they can make amends for those failures by going all the way in Europe's elite club competition. Chelsea lost the 2008 final against United on penalties and have also been beaten in the semi-finals on four occasions. The Blues will have to get past United in the quarter-finals to improve on that record and Ancelotti believes his players are in the perfect frame of mind to get the job done, starting in Wednesday's first leg at Stamford Bridge. "In the past Chelsea was very close to winning the Champions League, but unfortunately some little details were not good. I hope this season we can have been luck," Ancelotti … [Read more...] about Ancelotti confident Chelsea can fulfil Euro dream
Even when it goes wrong, Barcelona and Arsenal still feed the soul
After a troubling week in Europe, it would be easy to mock Arsenal or Barcelona, were it not for one thing. Each time they play, these two clubs, arguably above all others, attempt the hardest feat in sport. They try to win beautifully. Not pragmatically. Not with cunning. There is a plan, but it is a noble one. To attempt victory with the game in its purest form. One of the clubs, clearly, has been a lot better at it lately. The crisis at Arsenal and the blip at Barcelona barely compare in real terms: eight years without a trophy against a bad night in Milan. Barcelona are walking away with La Liga and Arsenal would kill to be in their shoes. Unless Real Madrid win the Champions League this season - and chances are they won't even make the quarter-finals, with Manchester United growing in strength - they will have seen off nemesis Jose Mourinho in almost contemptuous fashion. Yet viewed dispassionately, even Barcelona's near-decade of dominance contains … [Read more...] about Even when it goes wrong, Barcelona and Arsenal still feed the soul
FIFA reveal goal-line technology will be used at 2014 World Cup
Frank Lampard will never again suffer World Cup heartache after goal-line technology was yesterday given approval to be used at international football's prestige competition. The governing body said goal-line technology would be in place for the 2014 World Cup. British-based Hawk-Eye and German-designed GoalRef were both successfully trialled during the Club World Cup in Japan and are set to compete to be the preferred system for next year's tournament in Brazil. Two further German systems are in the process of being tested and could rival the pair for selection. Goal-line technology providers will inspect Brazil's Confederations Cup venues in mid-March, ahead of the tournament in June, to assess requirements. Hawk-Eye works by strategically attaching cameras to roofing to pinpoint a ball' s trajectory, while GoalRef uses copper coils inside the ball to track when it has crossed a magnetic field created between the posts and crossbar. England has … [Read more...] about FIFA reveal goal-line technology will be used at 2014 World Cup
Spirit of sport infringed but not the law
Eight women badminton players disqualified from the London Olympics on Wednesday for deliberately trying to lose their doubles matches have been punished for infringing the spirit of their sport but not the rules. The distinction is important after comments this year from International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge that manipulating results for financial gain was now a bigger threat to the Games than drugs. No such allegation could be levelled against the players from China, Indonesia and South Korea on a farcical evening at Wembley Arena on Tuesday when they deliberately hit shots out of court and dumped serves into the net. … [Read more...] about Spirit of sport infringed but not the law