http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/42365/
I think this is a good idea, though it depends on how reliable the shin pads are....and depends on the circumstances too. It could be wrong if a defender pushes the striker and because of that the striker trips over himself...but the ref didn't see the push and yellow cards the striker for a dive.
Anti-diving' shin pads developed
Trials have begun on revolutionary 'anti-diving' shin pads that can tell whether a player has been fouled or not.
The pads have innovative sensor technology that detect physical contact with players, enabling referees to decide whether forwards have gone down as a result of simulation or genuine foul play.
Andy Shaw of designers Small Fry said: "Each pad has two sensors and magnets. One sensor is to confirm another player is very close and one is an impact sensor.
"When both sensors are triggered they set the alarm off. If a player tries to cheat and kick himself in the shins, the proximity sensor will know it was not another player and will not trigger".
The first trials take place on Thursday at London's Battersea Park.
Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter said: "The game has to change, we have reached a point where diving is becoming almost a tolerated part of the game. It is not; it is cheating and needs to be stamped out.
"Today's experiment shows just one of the ways that we can look to aid decision making. Be it shin pads, or goal-line sensors - there are whole host of options out there and it's our duty to explore them."
The technology could have come in useful in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final between Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Blues were denied what looked a clear penalty in stoppage time, before Fernando Torres was booked for diving.
Diving has become a scourge of the modern game. A national survey of seven to 12-year-olds by Opinion Leader for Texaco revealed that the three things that children most dislike about professional football today are: diving (48 per cent), dangerous tackling (28 per cent) and shouting at the referee (18 per cent).
I think this is a good idea, though it depends on how reliable the shin pads are....and depends on the circumstances too. It could be wrong if a defender pushes the striker and because of that the striker trips over himself...but the ref didn't see the push and yellow cards the striker for a dive.
But seriously, it won't work. What if the player got pushed in the back?
