VAR to Return for Euro 2024 in Germany
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, football fans can expect to see the return of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. VAR made its debut at an international tournament during the 2018 World Cup and has since been implemented across major European leagues.
The use of VAR, however, has been subject to ongoing debate due to its controversial decisions. Nevertheless, UEFA has confirmed that VAR will be deployed at the Euro 2024 championship. In a departure from domestic football, each VAR decision will be explained on the big screens inside the stadiums, providing more transparency for the fans.
Additionally, UEFA will utilize the same semi-automated offside technology that has been present in their European competitions, such as the Champions League, and was also employed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This AI-based system uses 12 dedicated tracking cameras to create three-dimensional models of a player’s skeleton, allowing for more accurate offside determinations. The 3D animations will be displayed on the stadium screens and made available to UEFA’s broadcast partners for fans watching at home.
Furthermore, the FUSSBALLLIEBE match ball, designed by Adidas for Euro 2024, features a chip that is expected to enhance the accuracy of VAR. This sensor technology, similar to the one used in the Adidas Al Rihla ball at the World Cup, can record data 500 times per second to precisely detect the moment the ball is kicked. This technology played a key role in determining that Cristiano Ronaldo did not, in fact, score Portugal’s first goal against Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup.
“As the Euro 2024 tournament approaches, football enthusiasts can look forward to the continued refinement of VAR and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies to ensure the fairness and transparency of the game.”
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