Mexican football champions Atlas FC have partnered with Incode ahead of new rules mandating facial recognition requirements from next season.
Orelegi Sports-owned Atlas FC, Santos Laguna and TM Football Club have each signed with the digital identity verification specialist after the Mexican Football Federation and Liga MX introduced plans to boost security at matches from 2022-23 through a Fan ID to verify all attendees.
San Francisco-headquartered Incode’s technology was debuted in this weekend’s Liga MX game between Santos and Pachuca at the 30,000-capacity Estadio Corona.
Somos el líder mundial en verificación de identidad digital y junto a @OrlegiSports, llevaremos nuestra tecnología Fan ID a los estadios. #PoweredByIncodehttps://t.co/ibnxkf9Dsr
— Incode Technologies (@IncodeIdentity) April 1, 2022
Orelegi Sports and Incode said the implementation improves game day experiences while providing protection for fans’ personal data. The organisations said the system complies with regulations that require consent, applying an encryption process that safeguards the information with high security standards.
To generate the Fan ID by Incode, the spectator must create an account and indicate in which stadium they will be present, along with personal data and an official identification. The fan then takes a selfie which is compared to the photograph on the previously issued credential. If the image matches correctly, the application generates a unique code for the event.
Ricardo Amper, Incode chief executive and founder, said: “This exercise brings together two great companies that are leveraging artificial intelligence to quickly verify the identity of an individual while meeting stringent data privacy requirements. Incode has a fast and reliable platform that complies with personal data protection regulations and enhances Orlegi Sports’ goal to provide safe environments for those attending its soccer games.”
The facial recognition rules were announced in early March after a brawl in the stands at a game between Querétaro and Atlas led to 26 fans being hospitalised.
“We have to implement digital security measures to identify those who attend,” Liga MX president Mikel Arriola said.
The MLB’s New York Mets recently unveiled its facial recognition ticketing system from Wicket ahead of the new season.