FIFA releases chip in the ball to determine goals in soccer.

247 – How many times has a club or national team been defeated on the field, or even eliminated from a championship, due to the referee's eye failing to see whether the ball crossed the goal line or not? From now on, a chip implanted in the object will technologically determine if this occurred, and the answer will come from the technology. The chip was approved this Thursday, the 5th, by the International Board, the FIFA body that oversees the rules of the sport.

Despite authorization from the governing body, officials issued a warning: the chip will serve to assist the referee, who will remain the ultimate authority in a match. Before giving the green light, the Federation rigorously tested two types of technology – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef. This technology is already used in other sports, such as tennis.

FIFA believes that implementation will take several years to reach all tournaments worldwide. The first test will take place at the end of 2012, at the Club World Cup in Japan. Corinthians, therefore, will be the first Brazilian club to try out the new ball. The system should also be implemented in Brazilian stadiums for the 2014 World Cup.

Despite the revolution, FIFA president Joseph Blatter expressed concern about the implementation of the technology in countries with lower purchasing power. He stated that a lack of funding could hinder the use of the chip in tournaments in low-income regions. He argues that this could create inequality between championships and put the referee's authority to the test.

Blatter was once a long-time opponent of the use of technology in football, but said he changed his mind after an incident in the 2010 World Cup Round of 16, when England's Frank Lampard scored a goal against Germany that wasn't given because the referee didn't see that the ball bounced inside the goal after hitting the crossbar. The Swede says he wouldn't resist another moment like that.