World Cup offside technology validated by Victoria University

Victoria University is playing a vital part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December, having conducted important new research to ensure that all offside decisions made at the Cup are accurate, quick and clear.

FIFA has aspired to harness the power of cutting-edge technology to improve professional football for decades, with electronic systems approved for goal-line technology some 10 years ago and video-assisted refereeing (VAR) a feature since the 2018 World Cup. Now, after three years of research, FIFA has approved technology for the 2022 World Cup to rule on offsides.

Professor Robert Aughey, who led the VU team in the FIFA-commissioned research, said that with billions of dollars tied up in the world’s biggest sporting event, referees cannot afford to make mistakes on offside calls that may very well decide if a team wins or loses a match. The new technology will shorten the current delay of around 70 seconds that referees can devote to making offside decisions, while providing officials with clear evidence about the accuracy of their calls.

VU researchers scientifically analysed and validated the accuracy of data used in new ‘limb-tracking’ technology that determines where all 22 players on both teams are in relation to each other — and in relation to the ball — through three-dimensional Vicon motion-capture vision. Conducted earlier this year in Spain, the research included 44 infrared cameras to measure the return of light from reflective markers on players’ body parts to test the accuracy of the limb-tracking technology.

Measurements were made to sub-millimetre precision and conducted across a series of test scenarios to mimic real-life match play, ranging from clearly offside play to marginal calls involving several players. The results showed that FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is both accurate and will save time, allowing referees to make offside calls in under 10 seconds.

The SAOT system will be installed throughout all of Qatar’s stadiums, with 12 cameras mounted under stadium roofs to monitor the exact position of each player 50 times per second. A separate sensor positioned inside the centre of the ball will send data up to 500 times a second to detect precise kick points.

By synchronising the data and applying sophisticated algorithms in real time, the system triggers an alert when a potential offside position is detected, which is then quickly confirmed by an official before the referee makes a final call. After each decision, a 3D animation of the incident can be broadcast on the giant screens at the stadium and on TV for fans and spectators to see the accuracy of the call.

“This development enhances the integrity of the game and is an example of an excellent application of technology to assist and support referee decisions,” Aughey said.

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