Here's How Semi-Automatic Offside Technology Works That FIFA Will Trial In The Arab Cup

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - World football's governing body FIFA will test its semi-automatic offside technology at the 2021 Arab Cup in Qatar, kickoff today. Chief Referee Pierluigi Collina said the competition was the most important trial of using the system so far.

This technology is based on tracking limbs and providing information to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) before the field official makes a final decision.

"We will install cameras under the roof of every stadium," said FIFA Director of Technology and Football Innovation Johannes Holzmueller.

"Limb tracking data extracted from the video will be sent to the operating room and a count of offside lines and detected kick points is relayed to operators in near real-time replay."

"The replay operator is then given the opportunity to immediately show it to VAR. In the FIFA Arab Cup, the VAR assistant dedicated to the offside station can immediately validate and confirm that information."

FIFA's Head of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger said last April that he hoped the organization would be ready to apply the technology at next year's Qatar World Cup.

In March, former Netherlands striker Marco van Basten asked football lawmakers to consider removing the offside rule, citing football would be better off without it.

Football matches have been bombarded with controversial offside calls since VAR was introduced due to growing concerns over the time required and the accuracy of offside scoring.

"Technology is very important and useful both in pre-match preparation and decision-making processes during matches," said Collina.

"In an offside incident, the decision is made after analyzing not only the position of the players but also their involvement in the movement."

"Technology today or later can draw the line but the judgment that affects the match or the opponent remains in the hands of the referee."