Overview
- This week high-profile World Cup decisions highlighted how new tools can produce disputed outcomes when human referees must set the time and space limits of a review.
- Tournament systems included a microchipped Connected Ball with contact sensors, semi-automated offside tracking using 3D player scans and stadium cameras, and on-referee cameras and microphones.
- VAR overturned Egypt’s goal after reviewing Marwan Attia stepping on Lisandro Martínez 17 seconds earlier, and it cancelled Norway’s goal versus England after reviewing an apparent Haaland push before the corner delivery.
- FIFA has posted Connected Ball sensor outputs to justify decisions, but critics say inconsistent review scope, slow on-field checks and missing broadcast graphics have reduced trust in the system.
- UEFA will not adopt all World Cup VAR protocols and voices including Oliver Kahn and refereeing researchers are calling for clearer rules on when reviews start and for VOR officials to take faster, greater responsibility for decisions.