CBF completes first semi-automatic offside tests at Maracanã | OneFootball

CBF and Genius Sports have completed the first phase of testing for the semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) at Maracanã. The tests were conducted during the match between Fluminense and Botafogo on February 12, in the 3rd round of the Brazilian Championship, and confirmed the accuracy of the on-field refereeing decisions. The next stadiums on the list for equipment installation will be Arena do Grêmio, Arena MRV, Allianz Parque, Maião, Arena Fonte Nova, and Vila Belmiro.

The “gamified” images generated by the SAOT system (in which the players appear as video game avatars, even wearing their club uniforms) are from difficult-to-call plays that occurred during the classic match between the Rio teams. In one of the images, during a Fluminense attack, the player Renê appears with his right foot ahead of Alex Telles, the Botafogo defender, whose position marks the offside line.

Tests were conducted during the classic match between Fluminense and Botafogo for the Brazilian Championship Credits: Publicity

In another, Luciano Acosta, from Flu, appears in a legal position, with defender Alexandre Barboza, from Botafogo, keeping him onside for the play.

In both cases, referee Rafael Klein’s decision would have been confirmed by the technology.

During the testing phase, the images generated by the equipment are not yet available to the refereeing team.

For Netto Góes, president of the CBF Refereeing Working Group, the results of the first tests were very positive and offer excellent prospects for the official use of SAOT.

“The use of technology is aimed at optimizing the referee’s decision on the field, providing tools so that he can make the best decision. This will really make the game much more transparent, exposing the decisions to fans and club officials with great clarity through images,” he said.

Góes also points out that providing images of difficult-to-call plays is just one of the benefits of the technology. He also mentions the improvement in stadium infrastructure and the data that the equipment will collect from the athletes, which will be stored and made available to the clubs.

“All of this is funded by CBF in the contract signed with Genius,” Góes explained.

While the equipment continues to be installed in the other stadiums that will host Brasileirão matches, Maracanã will undergo another round of SAOT testing.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.