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Abstract

Technology has found its way even into sports. Soccer is no exception. In this paper, the technological developments and the future outlook of the game will be discussed, as well as critiqued, with particular attention being paid to the soccer ball, apparel, pitch and refereeing.

Introduction

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported a global television viewership of 500 million for the World Cup 2002's opening game between France and Senegal (2002). Therefore, to say that soccer is the world's most popular sport is not an understatement.

Technology has brought the game closer to its supporters. Before the television age, soccer fans used to glue their ears attentively to their radio receivers to pick up the action from the commentary provided by broadcasters at the stadium itself, possibly thousands of miles away. Compare that to now, where TiVo and Replay TV provide additional alternatives: reverse angles, close-ups, and replays (USNSTPA, 2002). This array of technological offerings provides a whole new dimension to the game-watching experience, which is the next best thing to being at the thick of things on the actual grounds.

As for the game itself, soccer has been influenced and enhanced by technology in a few areas, namely the ball, the apparel, the pitch and the refereeing. There are also calls from fans, players, luminaries and officials to introduce goal-line technology to further equip referees in making accurate judgments (BBC, 2005).

The Soccer Ball

The concept of soccer was already conceived in the Qin and Han Dynasties, between 225 BC and 220 AD. During then, the balls were made of animal skins. The material of the soccer ball was believed to vary greatly - from "human heads, stitched up cloth, animal and human skulls to pig or cow bladders". Hence the problem back then was not so much of the aerodynamics of the soccer ball, but rather, it was about the irregularity of the ball as the shape depended on the dimensions of an animal's bladder (SoccerBallWorld, 2004).

The tragic rags-to-riches-to-rags character of Charles Goodyear may have been the father of modern soccer balls when he created the first "vulcanized rubber soccer balls" in 1855 (Schultes, 1993). His invention helped settle the dispute of size and shape and there was a standard which could only be improved on (refer to Appendix A).

As a gauge of how far technology has carried the sport ahead, one needs to look a little more closely at the most recent improvements in the manufacturing of the soccer ball. +Teamgeist is the latest creation by German sportswear label, adidas. The most common soccer ball is made up of 32 panels Ð'- 20 hexagon pieces and 12 pentagon pieces. However, +Teamgeist consists of just 14 panels which are roundly-shaped so as to minimize the number of edges and corners and hence prevent air drag (refer to Appendix B). It is said that the reduction of panels results in lesser seams and thus allowing the ball to be as perfect a sphere as possible. The makers also promise that the new design aids accuracy for both straight and curved shots (Press.adidas, 2006).

State-of-the-art technology was employed to create this ball as it has to meet stringent standards set by footballing authority, Federation Internationle de Football Association, otherwise more commonly known as FIFA. Technology also allowed FIFA to ensure quality in soccer balls. According to the official FIFA website (1996), only those which have successfully passed six laboratory tests, namely the "Weight, Circumference, Sphericity, Loss of Air Pressure, Water Absorption and Rebound" tests, will be branded "Ð''FIFA Inspected' or Ð''International Matchball Standard (IMS)'". Soccer balls will have to pass an additional "Shape and Size Retention (Shooting Test)" in order to obtain the higher "FIFA Approved" standard (refer to Appendix C).

Another revolutionary technology applied to this revolutionary soccer ball is the "Thermal Bonding" technology. Heat is used to melt the PU material fibers, which then form strong chemical bonds. PU material is a synthetic fiber which resembles real leather (FunkeFeet, n.d.). When the ball is cooled, the bonds are further tightened and strengthened. This creates an almost waterproof surface which is crucial in determining the flight, speed and bounce of the ball.

Press.adidas (2006) claims that the +Teamgeist is well above the standards set by FIFA in the 7 certified laboratory tests. More notable acclamations include the +Teamgeist being drier and lighter than previous incarnates in wet conditions as its weight increase in water absorption is a mere 0.1%, significantly lesser than the FIFA approved standard of a 10% weight increase. An important performance attribute is that the +Teamgeist is able to keep its air pressure and roundness even after being kicked 2,000 times at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour. This test is carried out by a state-of-the-art robotic leg which is able to kick the ball at the "same speed and power, time and again" (refer to Appendix D).

Also, the "complete underglass print technology" will interest fans as the ball will keep its special appearance far longer than other run-of-the-mill soccer balls (Press.adidas, 2006).

The Soccer Apparel

Soccer Jerseys

Soccer players used to ply their trade in baggy jerseys which were just meant as a form of identification to represent which team one plays for. Now, as personal comfort is crucial to performance, technology has a say even in the design of jerseys!

Nike marries style and substance in their latest array of soccer jerseys. The Nike Sport Research Lab studies the "biomechanics, physiology, sensory and perception" of a sportsman. Simply put, the researchers are constantly on the lookout as to how best to optimize a sportsman's performance with the aid of high-tech apparels (nikebiz, 2006).

According to Nike.com (2006), under the latest "nikesphere" umbrella, there are eight variations of clothing material. Out of which, three are suitable for the manufacturing of soccer jerseys.

"nikespherecool" is a material which enhances "the body's natural cooling process". However, this fabric does not absorb the sweat off the skin. Instead, it "sits up off the body", thus improving the air flow against the skin. Thus, players will experience a certain coolness, hence the branding "nikespherecool"