- History of association football balls
The history of association football balls is the history of the
football (ball) in the game of association football. While football can be played with many makeshift balls, formalised balls are used in official matches and later used around the world.Footballs produced nowadays are manufactured to the specifications of the
Laws of the Game , specifically Law 2.History
In
1863 the first specification for footballs were laid down byThe Football Association , previous to this footballs were made out of inflated leather, with later leather coverings to help footballs maintain their shapes [ [http://www.soccerballworld.com/History.htm#Early Soccer Ball World - Early History] (AccessedJune 9 2006 )] . In1872 the specifications were revised, and these rules have been left essentially unchanged as defined by theInternational Football Association Board (for more information see Football (ball)). Differences in footballs created since this rule came into effect has been to do with the material used in their creation.Future developments in football construction
Companies such as Mitre,
Adidas , Nike and Puma are releasing footballs made out of new materials which promise more accurate flight and more power to be transferred to the football. [ [http://www.soccerballworld.com/Historypg2.htm#2000 Soccer Ball World - 2000 and Beyond] (AccessedJune 9 2006 )]Footballs used in competitions
Many companies throughout the world produce footballs. However
Adidas has supplied match balls for all officialFIFA andUEFA matches since the1970s , and also will supply the match balls for the2008 Olympic Games [http://www.soccerballworld.com/Teamgeist.htm Soccer Ball World - Team Geist] (AccessedJune 9 2006 )] . They also supply the ball for theUEFA Champions League which is called theAdidas Finale .FIFA World Cup
The following footballs were used in the
FIFA World Cup finals over the years The Guardian,June 5 2006 , World Cup 2006 (Special supplement), p89] [ [http://www.soccerballworld.com/HistoryWCBalls.htm Soccer Ball World - World Cup footballs] (AccessedJune 9 2006 )] [ [http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/eu/fifa/do/ben.pdf FIFA Match Ball factsheet (PDF)] (AccessedJune 9 2006 )] [ [http://www.adidas-group.com/en/bizmedia/WorldCup/Ball_History/press_release_e.pdf Adidas - World Cup Ball History press release] (AccessedJune 17 2006 )] :European Football Championship
The following balls were used in the UEFA
European Football Championship over the years: [ [http://www.soccerballworld.com/Euroballs.htm Soccer Ball World - European Football Championship balls] (AccessedJune 9 2006 )]References
External links
* [http://www.soccerballworld.com/ Soccer Ball World]
* [http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=285661&rel_no=1 Oh My News! - History of World Cup Soccer Balls]
* [http://www.adidas-group.com/en/bizmedia/WorldCup/ball_history/default.asp Adidas - The History of FIFA World Cup Match Balls]
* [http://www.the-soccer.com/ History of world cup Winners]
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