From ticketing to salaries, football explores power of blockchain

Football clubs are starting to tap the potential of blockchain technology as an innovative way to deal with longstanding issues such as ticket scalping, fan engagement and the payment of players' salaries.

Considered by many as revolutionary as the internet, a blockchain is a database that is shared across a network of hundreds of computers.

Once a record has been added to the chain it is very difficult to tamper with. And to ensure all copies of the database are the same, the network makes constant checks.

Blockchains have been used most prominently as the tool behind cryptocurrency Bitcoin, but many other possible uses from medical records to banking -- and now sports -- are emerging.

"Blockchain has the power to be the underlying infrastructure upon which sport functions," Michael Broughton of Sports Investment Partners told AFP as the two-day World Football Summit got underway in Madrid.

"Much as mobile phones and apps are today a broader expression of the underlying internet so sport can build upon blockchain."
'Limitles potential'
'Bring transparency'