FIFA will test its new automatic offside technology at the Arab Cup next week as a test of possible use at the World Cup in Qatar next year.
According to the english The times is the technology based on an artificial intelligence (AI) system that sends an instant message to the VAR when a player is out of play, after which it is left to the referee to determine whether a player has interfered with the passage of the game or not. The technology will be used in all six stadiums used in the Arab Cup, which also takes place in Qatar, and comes after several closed-door events, such as the Etihad Stadium and the Allianz Arena.
While an instant message can be sent to the VAR, the technology will only be considered semi-automatic as the verdict is sent to the VAR and not to the arbitrator himself.
One of the companies behind the technology is the British company Hawk-Eye, which believes it has created a ready-to-use system.
If the test is successful, the proposal to use it during next year’s World Cup final will likely be formally approved at FIFA’s annual meeting in March next year.
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