VAR revolution: FIFA tests technology to track ball out of play

FIFA is testing a cutting-edge system designed to determine whether the ball has gone out of play before a goal, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce contentious decisions in football, Sport360NG reports.

The innovation, dubbed ‘Out of Bounds,’ was trialed during three Intercontinental Cup matches in Qatar this month. Alongside it, FIFA has enhanced its ‘Real-time 3D Recreation’ technology to deliver faster, clearer line-of-sight judgements for offside calls.

The system provides two virtual perspectives, available to both the video assistant referee (VAR) and television viewers, that replicate the viewpoints of goalkeepers. Developed in partnership with Hawk-Eye Innovations, these technologies are still in testing, and it remains unclear whether they will be adopted by domestic leagues.

Addressing Controversial Calls

The new technology could have major implications for leagues like the Premier League, which has seen numerous disputed incidents in recent seasons. Two years ago, Arsenal protested when VAR ruled that Joe Willock had kept the ball in play before Anthony Gordon’s match-winning goal for Newcastle, VAR lacked a clear camera angle to make a definitive decision.

Offside controversies continue to arise. Last month, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze scored against Tottenham amid claims that Leandro Trossard blocked goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s view, highlighting the challenges of line-of-sight judgements.

The ‘Out of Bounds’ system relies on the same tracking points and configurations used in semi-automated offside technology. Though currently in offline testing, it has already been showcased in Qatar, where Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz had a goal correctly ruled out in the Intercontinental Cup final against Flamengo because the ball had left play.

FIFA has also trialed immediate offside audio alerts for referees, initially introduced at the Club World Cup, aiming to reduce delays in flagging clear offside situations. This initiative follows serious incidents such as Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s collision with a goalpost in May, which resulted in a medically induced coma, an accident that occurred after play continued from a clear offside.

By accelerating notifications for offside and out-of-play situations, FIFA hopes to increase accuracy and improve player safety across competitions.