Google: Getting in the face of football's 3.5 billion fans

    By Tom McGowan, CNN

    Updated 1740 GMT (0140 HKT) February 27, 2015

    Italian football club Roma is collaborating with Google for its match against Juventus on Monday. A high-tech initiative hopes to offer fans who can't attend the game a digital match-day experience.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Italian football club Roma is collaborating with Google for its match against Juventus on Monday. A high-tech initiative hopes to offer fans who can't attend the game a digital match-day experience.
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    Fans from around the world will get a glimpse into the club ahead of the game. A live stream will show the team bus' journey to the stadium and drone cameras will provide an aerial view of a packed stadium. It doesn't end there -- "shoeselfies" will offer 360-degree GIFs of the players' boots while an interactive panoramic image will take fans inside the Stadio Olimpico.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Fans from around the world will get a glimpse into the club ahead of the game. A live stream will show the team bus' journey to the stadium and drone cameras will provide an aerial view of a packed stadium. It doesn't end there -- "shoeselfies" will offer 360-degree GIFs of the players' boots while an interactive panoramic image will take fans inside the Stadio Olimpico.
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    In May 2014, Roma's coach Rudi Garcia wore Google Glass during a friendly match against Orlando.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    In May 2014, Roma's coach Rudi Garcia wore Google Glass during a friendly match against Orlando.
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    Roma's captain Francesco Totti set social media alight in January when he celebrated a goal against Lazio by taking a selfie in front of the famous "Curva Sud."
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Roma's captain Francesco Totti set social media alight in January when he celebrated a goal against Lazio by taking a selfie in front of the famous "Curva Sud."
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    The Curva Sud houses Roma's most colorful and passionate fans. "I've been to many, many sporting events across the world," says Sean Foley, vice president of sport and media at the Raptor Group -- which is headed up by Roma's American owner James Pallotta. "There's nothing I've experienced that's like Roma."
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    The Curva Sud houses Roma's most colorful and passionate fans. "I've been to many, many sporting events across the world," says Sean Foley, vice president of sport and media at the Raptor Group -- which is headed up by Roma's American owner James Pallotta. "There's nothing I've experienced that's like Roma."
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    Roma president James Pallotta is as comfortable talking to Silicon Valley tech wizards as he is football's boardroom leaders.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Roma president James Pallotta is as comfortable talking to Silicon Valley tech wizards as he is football's boardroom leaders.
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    Roma will hope to transfer the atmosphere from the Curva Sud to its new stadium when it relocates in 2016.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Roma will hope to transfer the atmosphere from the Curva Sud to its new stadium when it relocates in 2016.
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    Which means that sport has come a long way since the days of the Colosseum...
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Which means that sport has come a long way since the days of the Colosseum...
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    But social media and sport can often mix with disastrous consequences. Dunkin' Donuts was heavily criticized by Liverpool fans when it adapted the club's crest for a recent PR campaign. It removed elements of the badge which honor the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium Disaster. The company has since apologized.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    But social media and sport can often mix with disastrous consequences. Dunkin' Donuts was heavily criticized by Liverpool fans when it adapted the club's crest for a recent PR campaign. It removed elements of the badge which honor the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium Disaster. The company has since apologized.
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    Twitter will play a part in the English League Cup final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Wembley Stadium's famous arch, shown here glowing pink for a breast cancer awareness campaign, will turn blue or white depending on which team's hashtag is most popular.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Twitter will play a part in the English League Cup final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Wembley Stadium's famous arch, shown here glowing pink for a breast cancer awareness campaign, will turn blue or white depending on which team's hashtag is most popular.
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    google eyesroma google posterrudi garcia google glassfrancesco totti goal selfieroma fans lazio 2013James PallottaRoma Stadiumtime sliced colisseumdunkin donuts shopwembley arch pink

    Story highlights

    • Google and Roma partner to offer fans worldwide a digital match-day experience
    • A live stream of the team bus and drone cameras over the stadium will offer viewers a unique insight
    • The club will publish GIFs of 360-degree "shoeselfies" on its Google Plus page
    • Wembley's arch will light up with the colors of Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur during League Cup final
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