The FIFA World Cup 2022 is here with us, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) makes some controversial offside decisions. The VAR has been crucial and has had some questionable decisions in various leagues worldwide. FIFA had to work on the controversies, and they introduced the technology to clear some doubts from the football lovers
Al Rihla, the official match ball for Qatar 2022™ manufactured by Adidas, has provided a further vital element for detecting tight offside incidents as an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor is placed inside the ball. This sensor is positioned in the centre of the ball and sends ball data to the video operation room 500 times per second, allowing a very precise detection of the kick point. This has enabled the world cup to start with two tight calls against Ecuador on the tournament’s opening day and against Argentina when they were defeated by little-known Saudi Arabia.
A player is in an offside position if any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponent’s half (excluding the halfway line) and any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered. To determine offside, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.
In Ecuador vs Senegal match scenario, Enner Valencia’s goal was ruled offside due to a foot inches offside before the ball was delivered to him. The technology enables the VAR to figure out even the slightest infringement, that is, the offside. It worked very well, denying Ecuador’s tournament-opening goal just 3 minutes after the kickoff.
In Argentina versus Saudi Arabia match, Lautaro Matinez was denied a neatly chipped goal. A look at the semi-automated offside technology revealed that Martínez was called offside because his armpit was inches too far, which meant he was inches in an offside position. A Lautaro Martínez offside call during Argentina’s shocking 2-1 defeat vs Saudi Arabia, is one of the biggest talking points so far in this year’s World Cup.
The system is more accurate than the lines that VAR used to draw, but it hasn’t come without controversy and with just a few games already played, we are yet to see more controversies by the VAR.
Article by Michael Omondi
Michael Omondi (Mico Moyer) is a multi-talented professional with an immeasurable passion for sports. He is a graduate of Business Management (BBM- Accounting) from Moi University. He is a national referee in Kenyan football and currently works in the Division One League. He writes sports news and does sports analysis.
His email is michaelomondi@upeohubdigital.co.ke
