The smart ball will not be used at the 2006 World Cup, FIFA have confirmed.

Trials involving balls containing an electronic chip have been carried out, but FIFA does not believe that the current technology is foolproof.

“We consider the technology is not yet ready,” FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi said.

The technology was tested at the World Under-17 Championship in Peru.

Thomas van Schaik, Adidas spokesman, said: “We knew of this decision in advance of course, so we are not surprised, nor are we disappointed.

“The tracking system can be applied to any ball that we manufacture so it has not affected the development or production of the ball to be used at the World Cup finals which we believe will be the best ball ever used in the tournament.

“We are still developing the tracking system and when we are convinced it is 100 percent bullet-proof, 100 percent perfect, then that will be the time for it to be used.”

The smart ball sends out a radio signal when the ball crosses the touchline, as if it had touched an electric fence.

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