Jabulani balls up robs us of brilliance

Why do FIFA persist in trying experimental balls at the world’s biggest sporting tournament? The Jabulani football produced by adidas is an experiment gone wrong.

FIFA have finally begrudgingly admitted that the ball just isn’t up to scratch.

“We’re not deaf,” FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said. “FIFA is not unreceptive about what has been said about the ball.”

Why make something so different for the World Cup?

The ball, designed by boffins at Loughborough University, has clearly played its part in scrappy play, with long range passing appearing impossible and over-hit balls the norm.

Engineers used robots to kick the ball, wind tunnels to determine aerodynamics, and rocks in their head to conclude that this ball should be used for the World Cup.

They claim, probably with good arguments, that the ball wasn’t designed for use at altitude, like those at South African football venues. Where the World Cup is being played.

Figure that one out.

Of course, after 50 odd games, we have seen glimpses of brilliance, but it is the usual incredible accuracy of topflight players that has suffered.

Long balls to wide players seem to go out more than they stay in. Bouncing balls slam off the pitch and rebound much higher than expected, giving players little chance.

Numerous shots on goal have flown over and a number of goals have been scored with the ball bending unexpectedly at the last moment, making both strikers and goalkeepers look foolish, and denying us the cracking goals from way out that we all love.

As the Cup has progressed, we have seen players starting to come to grips with the ball a little more, but in general, the players simply haven’t had enough time with a ball and have played cautious, defensive games.

The adidas sponsored German Bundesliga have been using the Jabulani since early December. Germany have scored the second highest number of goals at the World Cup with the experimental ball, an interesting coincidence.

Other teams have had just a few scarce weeks to sample the ball, much to their distaste. Argentina, who have scored more goals, have been particularly critical.

One of the best lines was from Brazilian Julio Cesar – who described it as a “supermarket ball.”

Unfortunately, at US$150, that brings us to the final problem with the ball: it’s ridiculously expensive in the first world, let alone the millions of poorer kids who would love to kick a ball their World Cup heroes diced with.

The World Cup isn’t the time to experiment – it’s the time to rejoice in the absolute quality and class of football.