FIFA to use semi-automatic offside tech at Qatar World Cup

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, says it will use semi-automatic offside technology at the November to December World Cup in Qatar to make video assistant decisions faster and more reliable.

FIFA, on Friday, said the system would be used in all 64 matches in Qatar.

The new semi-automatic offside technology was tested at the Arab Cup and the Club World Cup in February.

Using a signal in the ball and a dozen cameras that record players’ movements, the position of players is recorded even more accurately than before.

According to dpa, the data would be reviewed by a video assistant and immediately relayed to the referee on the field.

“The match officials are still involved in the decision-making process, as the technology gives an answer only when a player is in an offside position.

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“In other words, the assessment of interfering with an opponent remains a match official’s responsibility,” FIFA referees’ chief, Pierluigi Collina, said in a statement.

In addition to more precise measurements, it is also hoped that the technology speeds up video assistant reviews for offside.

Currently, it takes an average of 70 seconds but the new system could cut that to 25 seconds.

“I’ve heard a lot about ‘robot referees.’ I understand sometimes this is very good for headlines, but this is not the case,” Collina said.

Video screens will be used to inform fans in the stadium about decisions.

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