Panel dedicated to Inovation in Football at The Future of Football International Congress

A little over a year after the first The Future of Football International Congress, the sport that we love really has changed. Today, in no small part due to the hard work of Sporting CP, football has begun a long process of reform. The International Board has began testing video refereeing and UEFA has approved the use of goal-line technology for the 2016 European Championships and for UEFA competitions in 2016/17.

Going back to the first conference, Sporting hosted names such as Harry Collins, Professor at the University of Cardiff; Ian Treseder, MCC Digital Manager; Keith Hackett, former Premier League referee; Dirk Schlemmer, head of goal-line technology in the Bundesliga; and Björn Lindner, president of the company Goalcontrol. Their main conclusion: technology can be introduced into football without taking away from the game.

Gijs de Jong, the Dutch Football Federation's Director of Operations, has already been involved in testing new technologies in the Eredivisie, in a match between Feyenoord and Heerenveen. David McHugh, from the Welsh Rugby Federation, also has something to say on the issue after the recent Rugby World Cup, while Darren Bailey and Paul Neilson also bring extensive experience to the table.

The first panel at II Future of Football International Congress, titled INOVATION IN FOOTBALL, will be composed of the following speakers:

- MODERATOR: Emanuel Medeiros, CEO of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS)

- NEW TECHNOLOGIES: Gijs de Jong, Director of Operations for the Dutch Football Federation

- INOVATION IN OTHER SPORTS: David McHugh, Welsh Rugby Federation

- TECNOLOGY AND NEW RULES: Darren Bailey, Director of Football Regulation and Administration of Football Associations

- METRICS IN FOOTBALL: Paul Neilson, Global Head of Performance Lab Prozone

The second edition of The Future of Football International Congress will take place on the 20th and 21st of April, in Estádio José Alvalade. To get involved, visit www.thefutureoffootball.org