Sports or not. I am just not sure that I am ready to see microchips in my balls (those of the soccer variety of course). Sort of takes away something from the sport as a whole I think.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — FIFA will consider using an electronic microchip inside soccer balls at the 2006 World Cup finals if the technology proves successful.

The microchip, intended to confirm whether or not a ball has crossed the goal line, will be tested at the under-17 world championship in Peru in September and October.

“We will test the goal-line technology at the FIFA under-17 world championship in Peru. If it works OK, we could introduce the chipped ball at the World Cup 2006,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Monday at the Confederations Cup, which starts Wednesday.

“We will run the test but I don’t know that it will be successful,” Blatter added. “But at least we are going to try it.” [Read the rest]