The 2024 European Championship has introduced a new level of arbitration with sensors embedded in the balls used during matches. This technology was first put to the test during Belgium’s match against Slovakia, where a goal by Romelu Lukaku was disallowed after sensors detected an illegal handball by his teammate Loïs Openda. The Adidas brand ball, called “Fussballliebe,” records up to 500 data per second and sends it to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) referees.
The use of this technology has already resulted in goals being disallowed and reversed for Portugal and Switzerland due to offside violations detected by the ball’s sensors. The sensors record every touch on the ball, whether with the foot, head or other body parts, to assist referees in making more accurate decisions. This technology is combined with a semi-automated offside system (SAOT) that uses AI to detect player movements and points of contact with the ball.
The implementation of this technology in Euro 2024 has revolutionized the way referees review plays in football matches, providing more precise and faster decision-making. With cameras capturing 29 different body points of the player, referees can quickly determine offside violations and make informed decisions. Furthermore, other technological systems are being developed to determine goal line infringements and player involvement in game-changing plays.
Overall, this new level of arbitration reviews with sensors embedded in balls is proving to be an effective tool for enhancing the accuracy of match officiating in Euro 2024.
