The European football governing body, UEFA, has announced that it will introduce a new technology to assist referees in making handball decisions for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. The move comes after a series of controversial incidents involving handball calls in the previous editions of the competition.
What is the new technology and how does it work?
The new technology, developed by a German company called Handball Tech, uses a combination of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to detect and analyze handball situations in real time. The system can measure the distance, speed, and angle of the ball, as well as the position, movement, and intention of the players involved. Based on these data, the system can determine whether a handball has occurred or not, and provide a recommendation to the referee via a smartwatch or a headset.
The system is designed to be fast, accurate, and consistent, and to reduce the human error and subjectivity that often plague handball decisions. The system can also provide replays and explanations of the handball situations to the referee, the players, and the fans, enhancing the transparency and understanding of the game.
Why is UEFA implementing this technology?
UEFA has decided to adopt this technology after facing criticism and controversy over several handball decisions in the past editions of the Euro tournament. For example, in Euro 2016, France was awarded a penalty against Germany in the semi-final after Bastian Schweinsteiger was judged to have handled the ball in the box. However, replays showed that the ball had hit his shoulder rather than his arm, and that he had no intention of playing the ball. Germany coach Joachim Löw called the decision “a joke” and said that it had “killed the game”.
In Euro 2020, there were also several contentious handball calls that sparked debate and confusion. For instance, in the group stage match between Portugal and France, both teams were given penalties for handball offences that seemed harsh and inconsistent. Portugal’s Nelson Semedo was penalized for touching the ball with his arm while trying to block a cross from Lucas Digne, while France’s Presnel Kimpembe was punished for blocking a shot from Cristiano Ronaldo with his elbow. Both incidents were reviewed by the VAR, but the original decisions were upheld. Many fans and pundits questioned the logic and fairness of the handball rule and its application.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said that the new technology will help to improve the quality and consistency of the refereeing, and to avoid such controversies in the future. He said: “Handball is one of the most difficult and controversial aspects of football. We have seen many cases where the referees and the VAR have made different interpretations of the same situation, leading to frustration and confusion among the players and the fans. We believe that this new technology will provide a clear and objective solution to this problem, and will make the game more fair and enjoyable for everyone.”
How has the new technology been tested and evaluated?
The new technology has been tested and evaluated by UEFA in collaboration with Handball Tech and several national football associations. The system was first trialed in a friendly match between Germany and Spain in November 2022, where it correctly identified two handball situations that were missed by the referee and the VAR. The system was also used in several domestic and international matches in Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, where it achieved a high level of accuracy and reliability.
The system was also subjected to a rigorous scientific evaluation by a team of experts from the University of Cologne, who compared the performance of the system with the decisions of the referees and the VAR in 100 handball situations from various competitions. The results showed that the system had a 95% accuracy rate, compared to 75% for the referees and 85% for the VAR. The system also reduced the average time needed to make a handball decision from 90 seconds to 15 seconds, and increased the consistency and agreement among the referees and the VAR.
The system received positive feedback from the referees, the players, and the fans who participated in the tests and the evaluation. The referees said that the system was easy to use and helpful in making quick and confident decisions. The players said that the system was fair and transparent, and that they understood and accepted the decisions better. The fans said that the system was informative and entertaining, and that they enjoyed watching the replays and the explanations of the handball situations.
What are the challenges and limitations of the new technology?
Despite the promising results and the positive feedback, the new technology also faces some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed before it can be fully implemented in Euro 2024. Some of these challenges and limitations are:
- The cost and availability of the technology. The system requires a lot of equipment and infrastructure, such as sensors, cameras, servers, and networks, which can be expensive and difficult to install and maintain in all the stadiums and venues. The system also requires a lot of data and bandwidth, which can pose a challenge for the communication and security of the system.
- The integration and compatibility of the technology. The system needs to be integrated and compatible with the existing technologies and systems used by UEFA and the national football associations, such as the VAR, the goal-line technology, and the electronic performance and tracking systems. The system also needs to be compatible with the different rules and regulations of the different competitions and countries, such as the definition and interpretation of handball, the use and review of the VAR, and the communication and interaction with the referees, the players, and the fans.
- The acceptance and adoption of the technology. The system needs to be accepted and adopted by all the stakeholders involved in the game, such as the referees, the players, the coaches, the managers, the officials, the media, and the fans. The system also needs to be evaluated and validated by the relevant authorities and bodies, such as UEFA, FIFA, IFAB, and the national football associations. The system also needs to be monitored and evaluated continuously to ensure its quality and performance, and to address any issues or problems that may arise.
UEFA has said that it is working closely with Handball Tech and the national football associations to overcome these challenges and limitations, and to ensure that the new technology is ready and effective for Euro 2024. UEFA has also said that it will conduct more tests and trials of the system in the upcoming matches and tournaments, such as the UEFA Nations League, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Europa League, to fine-tune and optimize the system.
UEFA hopes that the new technology will be a game-changer for the sport of football, and that it will bring more clarity, consistency, and fairness to the game. UEFA also hopes that the new technology will enhance the experience and enjoyment of the game for the players and the fans, and that it will contribute to the success and popularity of Euro 2024.
