Robots to referee next wold cup

Testing of systems Hawk-Eye and BskyB designed to control referee verdicts on goals and off-sides is underway in England now, CNews with reference to The Times reports. Starting with the next year BBC plans to use Hawk-Eye at Wimbledon tennis tournament for out determining. The system is based on a technology used for ballistic missile tracking.

These computer surveying systems can be used to determine whether balls actually cross the goal line and can help referees avoid mistakes connected with disputable goals. Developer of the system Paul Hawkins says, Great Britain has got a technology necessary to take precise decisions. Tiny pea-sized indicators will be inserted in football boots and balls to transmit signals to receivers installed behind the goal and the side line. If necessary, an on-line picture will be transmitted to a portable display fixed on a referee’s hand.

The new system is planned to be used already during 2004 European Cup in Portugal. However, a FIFA official spokesman says, even if the system is used, referees will still be present at football games; it is more convenient to use the system only to determine whether a decision on scoring a goal was right or not.

CNews.ru