🔗 Share this article FIFA Tests New Tech for Out-of-Bounds Calls & Offside Decisions Boundary-tracking systems have the potential to clear up disputed incidents in major leagues. The international football federation is currently testing new technology that can ascertain if the ball went out of play prior to a score was scored. The so-called 'Out of Bounds' innovation is one of a series which were recently tested in a trio of Intercontinental Cup matches in Qatar recently. Concurrently, FIFA has enhanced its 'Real-time 3D Recreation' tool to facilitate line-of-sight judgements for offside decisions quicker and clearer. This system provides two virtual feeds, accessible by the video assistant referee (VAR) and broadcast audiences, which replicate the perspectives of both goalkeepers. These latest technologies have been jointly developed by FIFA and a leading sports technology firm. It remains to be seen whether they would become available to domestic leagues. How the Innovative Systems Could Resolve Controversies Top competitions like the Premier League have produced many controversial moments in the past few years which this technology could have helped resolve. In a previous campaign, a controversial moment occurred when video review determined a attacker kept the ball from going out before a crucial goal. The VAR lacked the necessary visual evidence to prove the ball was out. There have additionally been several 'visual obstruction' offside incidents recently. In a specific match, arguments were made that an forward was blocking the goalkeeper's view of the ball during a shot was scored. The underlying 'Out of Bounds' system employs the same player and ball tracking and setups as advanced automated offside detection technology. It is currently undergoing laboratory trials but was provided with the opportunity to show its reliability during the recent trials. In one match, a goal was ruled out via VAR after it was determined the ball had gone out in the build-up. Separately, FIFA furthermore held additional tests of immediate audio notifications for offside, which were first used at a previous tournament. This measure is designed to reduce the number of delayed offside flags in clear-cut cases. The push for quicker notifications is also a response to safety concerns. In a past incident, a striker was involved in a serious injury after play continued from a clear offside situation. FIFA aims that more immediate signaling of offside will help prevent such unfortunate incidents from occurring in the future.