FIFA have confirmed that semi-automated offside technology will be in place for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The technology will include the use of 12 tracking cameras inside stadiums at the tournament, each of which will track both the ball and 29 data points of each individual player, at a speed of 50 times per second.
FIFA have estimated that the technology will help reduce the decision-making time of offside calls from an average of 70 seconds using VAR, to between 20 and 25 seconds.
Once a decision has been made, FIFA intends to show spectators in the stadium and viewers at home a 3D illustration of the decision, which will most likely occur during the next stoppage in play.
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has discussed the changes and believes the technology is the latest evolution in decision-making.
“Semi-automated offside technology is an evolution of the VAR systems that have been implemented across the world,” he said, as per The Athletic.
“This technology is the culmination of three years of dedicated research and testing to provide the very best for the teams, players and fans who will be heading to Qatar later this year, and FIFA is proud of this work, as we look forward to the world seeing the benefits of semi-automated offside technology at the FIFA World Cup 2022.”
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee, also spoke on his belief that semi-automated offsides can provide faster and more accurate decisions.
“We expect that semi-automated offside technology can take us a step further,” the former referee said.
“We are aware that sometimes the process to check a possible offside takes too long, especially when the offside incident is very tight.
“This is where semi-automated offside technology comes in – to offer faster and more accurate decisions.”
