FIFA’s new technology ruled out its first goal as it prepares for launch at the

On Feb 7, 2022

Will this end VAR controversy? FIFA’s new limb-tracking technology ruled out its first goal as it prepares for launch at the World Cup in Qatar later this year

The technology was used in Al-Jazira’s Club World Cup victory over Pirae
Chelsea fans will also witness it when they play in the competition this week
It expected to be launched ready for the World Cup later this year in Qatar
The tracking system will also be present in the Premier League from 2023-24

Published: 17:58 EST, 5 February 2022 | Updated: 18:52 EST, 5 February 2022

The future of VAR offside is here. The days of tortuous delays while officials at Stockley Park lean forward, squint at their screen and draw lines on a freeze-frame will soon be over.

Chelsea will this week become the first English club to try out FIFA’s new limb-tracking technology, which will make decisions quicker and clearer, ending much of the controversy over toenail offsides.

The semi-automated system is in place at the Club World Cup with Chelsea due to play their semi-final on Wednesday with FIFA set to launch the technology at the World Cup in Qatar later this year and domestic competitions like the Premier League next season.

Technology that will be put in place ahead of the World Cup and 22-23 Premier League season

Al-Jazira’s forward Zaid al-Ameri scored only for the new VAR tracking system to rule it out

Twelve cameras installed under the stadium roof track the ball and 29 points on each player at a speed of 50 times a second. The technology plots a player’s skeleton to judge which part of the body is furthest forward.

It then creates a 3D graphical representation of the incident in almost real-time which is then sent to the VAR and the decision shown on the big screen to fans.

Fans saw a glimpse of how well the new technology can work last week at the Club World Cup when Al-Jazira striker Zayed al-Ameri scored what he thought was his second goal in their victory over Tahiti side Pirae on Thursday only for VAR to rule it out for a marginal offside. The whole process took no more than 20 seconds.

It will revolutionise how quickly VAR officials can judge offsides and also how clearly they will be explained to fans with the graphical replay able to move the camera in line with the incident.

Chelsea will get a glimpse of the new technology when they participate in the Club World Cup

Linesmen will also no longer need to delay raising their flags for many marginal offsides.

FIFA have tested the new system across several tournaments, including the Arab Cup in December, and currently trialling it at the Club World Cup. It will be launched in full at the World Cup in Qatar later this year and into the Premier League by the start of the 2023-24 season.

The ability to…