ReVARlution! Limb-tracking technology with instant imagery could make offside calls 'semi-automated' - and would help prevent avoidable situations like Rui Patricio's serious head injury
- FIFA is set to release a report on promising trials with limb-tracking technology
- The potential game-changer would replace VAR-drawn lines and reduce delays
- Premier League officials are happy for the technology to be rubber-stamped
- The head injury suffered by Rui Patricio on Monday reignited the offside debate
FIFA are set to release a report on their trials of game-changing limb-tracking technology which would instantly identify offsides, replacing VAR-drawn lines and reducing delays in decisions.
The world governing body trialled their 'semi-automated offside' system at last month's Club World Cup in Qatar. Findings are due to be revealed in the coming days, with FIFA hopeful that they are developing a 'supportive tool similar to goal-line technology'.
Sportsmail has spoken to Premier League officials who are keen for the technology to be signed off, with assistants feeling they are unfairly criticised for the delay in raising their flags.
The limb-tracking tech would allow referees to know if a player was offside almost immediately
The head injury suffered by Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio on Monday reignited the debate over officials being told to wait until a passage of play has ended before flagging offside.
FIFA's 'semi-automated offside' technology — which was revealed by Sportsmail in 2019 and involves limb-tracking, automatic ball detection and creating a model of a player's skeleton — would stop the need for these delayed flags.
If available in the Premier League, for example, the idea is that Stockley Park would be provided with an instant image displaying the offside line. The VAR would then alert the assistant and referee within seconds if an active player was offside.
Assistants would no longer have to wait to raise their flags, and supporters could celebrate goals without the fear of an offside being spotted.
Was Rui Patricio's injury avoidable? Liverpool's Mo Salah was offside but the flag stayed down
The Wolves goalkeeper was stretchered off after suffering an injury following the Salah offside
FIFA's Working Group for Innovation Excellence are developing this as part of a project they call 'VAR technology 2.0'. Their goal is to establish ways of improving video technology by 2022.
It is understood that ChyronHego's Tracab team in Sweden are leading trials of the semi-automated offside system. Hawk-Eye — the company who provide goal-line technology — have also been involved.
Ian Wray, ChyronHego's global sports director for Tracab, has been quoted as saying: 'The aim of our technology is to support referees in making offside decisions accurately, confidently and quickly, removing interruptions in the flow of the game and improving the overall fan experience.'
One challenge FIFA are encountering with offside calls is how to accurately determine the moment the pass was struck.
They are also considering the best way to present this new information both to supporters inside stadiums and those watching at home.
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