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Month: January 2005

Another possibility for The Ball

How about we use a fair-trade football instead?

More about Football and Technology

In a previous post, I wrote about scientists researching the perfect free-kick. Now, with the rebirth of the video-replay debate as a result of Roy Carroll’s shameless lack of sportsmanship in the Man Utd v Spurs match a week or two ago (where he appeared – to the ref at least – to “save” what was clearly a goal) I thought I’d have a little look at some of the technologies which may be part of high-end football’s future.

There are several competing technologies vying for the attention of football’s rule-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), who hold their 119th annual general meeting in Cardiff on 26 February 2005. From a purely Spirit of Football perspective, I’m interested in this issue because it will also determine the nature of The Ball that travels from Battersea Park every four years.

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The Ball 2018 left England on 25th March 2018 and travelled to the World Cup in Russia.

The Ball 2014 kicked off from England on 9th Jan 2014 and headed to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ball 2010 left England on 24th Jan 2010 headed to the Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ball 2006 travelled from London to the Opening Ceremony in Munich, Germany.

The Ball 2002 was carried 7000 miles across Europe and Asia to the World Cup finals in Korea & Japan.