How a Chip in the Ball Allowed the World Cup's Fastest-Ever Sub Goal to Stand
The video assistant referee (VAR) system has been a subject of controversy in various football tournaments, including the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. To better understand the decision-making process, a closer look is taken at major incidents during the FIFA World Cup, examining the VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
Former Select Group referee Andy Davies, with over 12 seasons of experience in the Premier League and Championship, offers insight into the VAR process. A notable incident occurred when Sweden's Mattias Svanberg scored a goal, initially ruled offside, but later awarded via a VAR review using 'Connected Ball Tracking technology.
The review focused on a potential touch by Svanberg's teammate Alexander Isak, which would have reset the play. Although invisible to the naked eye, the technology detected a slight touch by Isak, allowing the goal to stand. This technology, integrated into the ball, provides real-time data to match officials and captures every touch made by players.
A similar incident occurred during the 2022 World Cup, when Cristiano Ronaldo's potential touch on a goal scored by Bruno Fernandes was clarified using the same technology. However, the information was not shared with the public at the time. It wasn't until Euro 2024, when Belgium's Loïs Openda's handball was detected, that the technology's capabilities were showcased on TV screens.
In the current World Cup, the VAR correctly utilized the technology to award a goal to Sweden, demonstrating the tool's potential to make accurate decisions where human judgment might fail. Despite its relatively low profile, this technology has proven to be a valuable asset in ensuring fair outcomes in football matches.
Former Select Group referee Andy Davies, with over 12 seasons of experience in the Premier League and Championship, offers insight into the VAR process. A notable incident occurred when Sweden's Mattias Svanberg scored a goal, initially ruled offside, but later awarded via a VAR review using 'Connected Ball Tracking technology.
The review focused on a potential touch by Svanberg's teammate Alexander Isak, which would have reset the play. Although invisible to the naked eye, the technology detected a slight touch by Isak, allowing the goal to stand. This technology, integrated into the ball, provides real-time data to match officials and captures every touch made by players.
A similar incident occurred during the 2022 World Cup, when Cristiano Ronaldo's potential touch on a goal scored by Bruno Fernandes was clarified using the same technology. However, the information was not shared with the public at the time. It wasn't until Euro 2024, when Belgium's Loïs Openda's handball was detected, that the technology's capabilities were showcased on TV screens.
In the current World Cup, the VAR correctly utilized the technology to award a goal to Sweden, demonstrating the tool's potential to make accurate decisions where human judgment might fail. Despite its relatively low profile, this technology has proven to be a valuable asset in ensuring fair outcomes in football matches.
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