Technology on track to play an increasingly important role in football

Technological innovations have transformed how professional football operates during the 21st century and their influence shows no signs of waning.

Data analysis, goal line technology and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system are among a plethora of ways technology has impacted football.

Football pitches are another element in the world’s most popular sport which have become increasingly influenced by technology in recent years.

Many professional clubs now use sophisticated football line marker systems to ensure the playing area is marked out with 100 percent accuracy.

Robotic products such as the Turf Tank Two have been a game-changer in pitch marking, guaranteeing accuracy and reducing the time taken to get the job done.

FIFA strengthens it commitment to using technology in the sport

Line marking robots and other recent innovations are undoubtedly just the tip of the iceberg where technology in professional football is concerned.

FIFA recently strengthened its commitment to leverage technology with a view to improving the sport through research, development and innovation.

The recently teamed up with Hawk-Eye Innovations to establish the Football Technology Centre AG, which will work for the benefit of the governing body’s 211 member associations.

FIFA says the joint venture will ‘explore and develop emerging technologies in football with a focus on the generation of algorithms to automate the detection of on-pitch events for optimal decision-making’.

The development automated offside technology that instantly provides match officials with consistent and accurate information is a primary focus for the collaboration.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom says the work undertaken will ‘ultimately improve the football experience for all stakeholders’ and is part of their ‘Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027’ programme.

Rufus Hack, Chief Executive Officer at Hawk-Eye, said: “Given the highly competitive nature of football and the constant evolution in the sports technology industry, Hawk-Eye continues to consider the future with a strategic approach.

“We’re incredibly proud to collaborate with FIFA on this joint venture, to continue creating innovative solutions that will make the beautiful game more understandable, precise, fair and exciting for everyone at all levels of football.

“The creation of the Football Technology Centre is a natural evolution of our relationship with FIFA and will leverage technology and AI to pave the way for the future of football officiating, performance and fan engagement.”

FIFA and Hawk-Eye initially began to collaborate in 2017 to optimise the use of technologies in professional football with a view to enhancing the operation, integrity and fairness of the sport.

While innovations such as goal line technology have been well received, the VAR system has been a source of constant frustration for many people in football since it was implemented.

The excessive amount of time taken to resolve in-game issues is a major bugbear, while inconsistent decision making by the VAR officials has not helped matters.

Despite this, FIFA and Hawk-Eye remain committed to developing technologies which will deliver a greater degree of accuracy in professional football over the next few years and beyond.

Technology on track to play an increasingly important role in football