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It will almost certainly be used in all of the major leagues around the world .
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar . Picture : Clive Mason / Getty Images .
Kick off
Victoria University a key player in the 2022 World Cup .
By Emilie Lauer
New research by Victoria University to ensure offside decisions are accurate and time-sensitive has proven effective after the first 2022 World Cup game kicked off in November .
After three years of research , the 2022 Qatar World Cup features new video technology that assists referees to rule on off sides .
The Semi-Automated Offside Technology ( SAOT ) was given the green light by FIFA , the international football regulatory body after a team of Victoria University researchers tested the system in March and validated its accuracy .
The SAOT system was used in the opening game three minutes after kickoff .
It ruled offside the first Equator goal by Enner Valencia after Qatar ’ s goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb came rushing out to try and clear the ball .
The video technology ruled the offside in less than 10 seconds compared to the current Video Assistant Referee ( VAR ) system , which can take multiple minutes to decide on a played action .
According to Rob Aughey from Victoria University ’ s Institute for Health and Sport , the SAOT system was faster and more accurate than any other technology currently available .
“ The system is really accurate and I ’ m confident it ’ s going to improve the game by taking out uncertainty on the referee ’ s decision and by giving evidence in a much faster process ,” Aughey said .
“ It enhances the integrity of the game and is an example of an excellent application of technology to assist and support referee decisions .”
The SAOT system was composed of 12 cameras located on the stadium roof which monitor the position of all players on the field and record 50 frames per second .
An additional detector is positioned inside in the centre of the ball , will sends data 500 times per second to detect precise kick points .
During the game , the technology will track each player using 29 points on their body and use artificial intelligence to issue an automatic alert when a player is offside .
The alert is then confirmed by an official before the referee makes the final call .
According to Aughey , during the World Cup , referees cannot afford to make mistakes on offside calls as it can decide the fate of the game .
“ This type of technology is really important for these competitions , but in order to be used in the World Cup the system had to pass the validation process ,” Aughey said .
“ It was a very important process and FIFA approached us to see whether we would be able to develop a test method that we could apply to answer their question for them .
“ We ’ re the only university in the world that has that particular relationship with FIFA .”
Back in March , the VU team took over Spain ’ s stadium in Seville to test the technology on behalf of FIFA and validated the process .
The team had the challenging task of validating the ‘ limb-tracking ’ technology and showed it could be relied on in close situations .
The research included 44 infra-red cameras to measure with sub-millimetre precision the return of light from reflective markers on players ’ body parts to test the accuracy of the system .
The VU team conducted a series of test scenarios to mimic real-life match play , ranging from clear-offside play to more difficult situations involving several players .
The SAOT technology will be used throughout the whole World Cup and will most likely be used in other competitions such as the Champions League or the Premier League in the future .
“ Once FIFA approves a technology to improve games , it will almost certainly be used in all of the major leagues around the world ,” Aughey said .
“ Our entire team has worked in professional sport for a number of years and for us to be directly involved in something that can improve the biggest game in the world is really exciting .”
The FIFA World Cup competition started on November 21st and wrapped up mid-December . ■
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