Archive for October 9th, 2007

5 Referees for Soccer Matches… the Way of the Future?

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

5 Referees for Soccer Matches… the Way of the Future?FIFA just made the announcement: the big novelty in the next Club World Cup (held in Japan in December) will be the addition of two extra referees to the regular linesman-referee-linesman trio. Each additional referee will stand close to the goalmouth, although their precise role (as well as their exact positioning) is to be determined later as the competition draws closer.

The proposal, which was strongly supported by UEFA president Michel Platini, was just approved today in the first meeting of FIFA’s new Strategic Committee, chaired by Platini in Zurich.

Smartball technologyFIFA also approved the utilization of the ‘Smartball’ technology, the new line of ‘intelligent’ soccer balls developed by Adidas. These balls will be using an embedded microchip to automatically determine if shots have crossed the goal line. ‘Smartballs’ are still undergoing a testing phase, continuing their first use in the Under 17 World Cup in Peru 2005.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which governs the laws of football, gave provisional backing to the use of goal-line technology during a meeting in March. IFAB insisted that the technology had to be instantaneous and 100 percent accurate with decisions transmitted only to the match officials.

The Club World Cup involves soccer’s six continental club champions and the league champions from the host nation. Italy’s AC Milan, Argentina’s Boca Juniors, Mexico’s Pachuca and New Zealand’s Waitakere United have already booked their places in the seven-team competition.

Nicolas Anel…Kali?

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

Fun pic of the day: French striker Nicolas Anelka guiding Les Bleus’ daily practice session, in preparation for the match against Faroe Islands.

Nicolas Anel…Kali?

La Liga ‘Loca’ about Rossi

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

Giuseppe Rossi, age 20

They called him “Joe Red” during his time at Manchester United. Villareal still have to come up with a nickname for the young Italian, but Giuseppe Rossi just can’t stop scoring in La Liga: the ex-Red Devil striker produced yet another tally this week-end. And what a goal that was.

The Yellow Submarines were travelling to Pamplona for a difficult game against Osasuna Sunday. With the score still tied on 0-0, here’s what the New Jersey native pulled out of his bag of tricks: grabbing the ball close to the midfield line on the right, Rossi made a diagonal run towards the left, accelerating forward with an enormous burst of pace. The two nearby Osasuna defenders never even got close to him, and when they did it was too late: Rossi had gotten to the edge of the box, unleashing a powerful yet accurate low shot into the bottom right corner. Surely one of the best goals of the week-end.

To read the remainder of my Giuseppe Rossi profile on Soccerlens.com, click here.