Offside revolution at the World Cup: computers should be used

Created: 07/01/2022 13:37

By: Marius Epp

FIFA wants to develop football further.

A computer system to record offside positions is to be used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Zurich - The technologization of football is progressing!

After the introduction of video evidence, FIFA intends to offer its referees further assistance.

And not of a human kind.

Despite the VAR (Video Assistant Referee), there had always been wrong decisions in the past.

Also on the subject offside.

That's why the world association wants to remedy the situation: A semi-automatic system is to be used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

World Cup in Qatar: FIFA uses offside technology - "We want accurate decisions"

As FIFA announced on Friday, the system will be used in the 64 tournament games in Qatar.

“We are ready to use it.

We are satisfied with the test results, we are continuing our work," said FIFA chief referee Pierluigi Collina in a digital media interview about the new technology.

"We want accurate decisions," added the Italian.

At some point, will it perhaps no longer be necessary to wave the flag?

© Patrick Seeger/dpa

The new measuring technology for offside decisions was last tested at the Arab Cup and the Club World Cup in February.

A 500 Hertz signal in the ball and a dozen cameras that record the player's movements via data points are used to record the position of players who may be offside even more precisely than before.

The data is checked by a video assistant and immediately forwarded to the referee on the field.

FIFA referee boss Collina makes it clear: No offside robot

According to Collina, in addition to more precise measurements, they also hope to save time.

So far, offside checks would take around 70 seconds, with the new system you can reduce it to around 25 seconds.

The fans in the stadium should be informed about the decisions via video screens.

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Collina again contradicted the accusation that the technology would replace the referees with robots.

"I know that some are talking about an offside robot, which is wrong, because ultimately the referee and the assistant referees still decide," said the former top referee.

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An end to the development is not in sight.

But: "The referee remains the final decision-maker," said Collina.

The introduction of the video referee is a success story.

"The game is cleaner, there is no more tugging in standard situations," said Collina - and swallows and simulation have completely disappeared.

At times it was reported that FIFA also wanted to extend the playing time.

Until President Gianni Infantino commented on it.