Controversial incidents won't be captured by 'Ref Cam' footage: Fifa
Miami's Club World Cup: A Revolution in Football Broadcasting
Welcome to the future of football broadcasting, as referees at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup will don "body cams" for an unparalleled viewing experience. But, remember, it's just a trial, so let's dive in!
These refs will be wearing a small camera attached to their earpiece, offering live video footage from their unique perspective. While spectators won't get to see every contentious moment, you can expect thrilling visuals of goals, saves, and even the pre-match coin toss - all from a perspective never seen before[3][4].
"The objective is to offer the TV viewers a new experience," FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina stated. If all goes well and we learn to run, they might just start showing more[5].
The tech-savvy innovation will transmit live footage from the ref to the production team using a private 5G network. But, alas, the live angle won't be available everywhere. It's only happening in the six NFL stadiums hosting the tournament[1].
Stadium-goers will even get to see VAR reviews in real-time on giant screens, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process. But for now, controversial incidents like penalty decisions will remain behind closed doors[2].
The Club World Cup will also debut the "enhanced semi-automatic offside" technology. It involves 16 cameras linked to AI, alerting the assistant referee via audio when an offside player touches the ball. Expect earlier flagging and fewer questionable calls[2].
Another rule change you'll see? Goalkeepers now have eight seconds to release the ball after picking it up, up from six. Keep your eyes peeled for the countdown, and keep a finger crossed for accuracy[1].
So there you have it! A revolution in football coverage, straight from the earpieces of our referees. It's going to be a exciting ride!
[1] BBC Sports[2] The Guardian[3] FIFA[4] The Athletic[5] SportTechie
Technology is set to revolutionize sports viewing, as football referees at the Club World Cup will use body cams to offer a unique perspective on the games. This trial could potentially introduce a new way to broadcast sports, including football, leveraging a private 5G network.
