Sport Innovation/Goal-line Technology/Cairos GLT System

The Cairos GLT system, which is backed by sports giant Adidas, utilises an electronic system which has sensors imbedded inside the match ball as well as electromagnetic strips buried under the goal [1]. The whole process takes less that one second. The way the system works is a four step process:
 * 1) Thin cables are installed in the turf of the penalty area and behind the goal line. Each cable has a unique amount of electricity running through it that generates a magnetic field
 * 2) A sensor is implanted in the ball which measures the magnetic field as soon as it crosses the line. The sensor then sends encrypted data to receivers located behind the goal.
 * 3) The receivers then send encrypted data to a computer in order to be processed.
 * 4) Once the computer has determine the entire ball has crossed the line an encrypted signal is sent to the referees watch [2]

The implantation of a chip suspended inside the ball has no impact on the handling characteristics. Players will not notice the difference between a ball with an implanted chip or a ball without the chip [3].

One of the main concerns of those who against the introduction of the technology is that of cost. Cairos Direct or Marketing and Communications has explained that Cairos will absorb the cost for the installation of the technology and will only change a small portion of what it would cost to pay four referees per game. In return for the free installation the technology provider would seek the rights to sell sponsorship of the system at each ground [4].

The system which was originally tested in 2005 at the U-17 FIFA World Cup has since been refined and retested at the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan and had an accuracy rating of 100% [5]. Currently the Cairos GLT System meets all International Football Association Board (IFAB) criteria and the ball has been approved by FIFA for competitive international play [5].