THERE is nothing worse than a long nail biting VAR check for an offside when your football team has just scored the winner – but this new piece of technology is about to put an end to all of that.
FIFA have reportedly spent the last three years testing its semi-automatic offside tool.
And it has now been approved for use at major tournaments such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But what is the semi-automatic offside tool and will it be used in this season's Champions League?
What is a semi-automatic offside?
The semi-automatic offside tool is a piece of technology being introduced to make VAR decisions quicker and more accurate.
It will be done by a system using computer tracker of 29 body parts of each player, combined with a microchip inside the ball.
Read More on Champions League
Why Europe’s best will be delighted Rangers and Celtic are in Champions League
Liverpool face Rangers, Ajax and Napoli as Chelsea take on AC Milan
This is expected to determine the positions of the players at the exact moment the ball has been played.
So in the case of an offside situation, the video operations room will receive an automated alert alongside an automatic selected point and an instant drawn lines within seconds of the incident.
Match officials will then have to validate the proposed selected kick point and the drawn offside line before VAR communicates the final decision on the pitch.
Extra VAR officials will be in charge of calling offsides with the algorithm providing a 3D animation to explain a call in a average of 25 seconds.
Most read in Football
Ronaldo 'called for Maguire to be AXED as he was 'part of the problem'
Danilo £20m bid REJECTED, Gunners 'reignite' Gakpo interest
Fans are all saying the same thing about Southampton's pitch for Chelsea clash
Parker's cardigan cost him almost £5 for every MINUTE he wore it on touchline
And that illustration is then available on the giant screens within the stadium and for TV viewers to take a look at in the next stoppage of play.
Will it be used in the Champions League?
The semi-automatic offside technology was initially meant to be rolled out for the opening fixture of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, UEFA have stolen a march on FIFA as it was deployed in the Super Cup fixture between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt.
And now, it has been revealed that they will use the new tool in this season's Champions League.
What has been said?
UEFA'S refereeing chief Roberto Rosetti believes that the semi-automatic offside technology will be beneficial to the match officials, players and fans.
Rosetti said: “We are constantly looking for new technological solutions to improve the game and support the work of the referees.
“This innovative system will allow VAR teams to determine offside situations quickly and more accurately, enhancing the flow of the game and the consistency of the decisions.
"The system is ready to be used in official matches and implemented at each Champions League venue.”
Source: Read Full Article
