Football fans sometimes blame the referee for a wrong decision. An unnoticed offside position, an unfair removal of a player from the field, a tough game, after which no punishment follows - all this is present in almost every second match. But the fans are especially outraged because the referee does not score a goal. Agree, it is very disappointing to see the team lose just because of the carelessness of one person.
Sometimes it is very difficult to determine if the ball has crossed the goal line or not. It is especially problematic for the referee to make a decision if he was far from the penalty area or looked in the other direction at the decisive moment (this can happen due to the fact that, for example, one of the players fell or started a quarrel). Whatever the result, the arbiter will still be accused. Either the fans of the attacking team or the fans of the defenders. There was already a contender for Euro 2012, which ended sadly for the Ukrainian national team. After the match, during a second review, it was decided that the ball did cross the goal line. But, of course, this did not affect the outcome of the game.
Testing systems for automatic goal detection have been carried out for several years. And as a result, the International Council of Football Associations settled on two options for solving the problem. In the first case, several cameras are installed in the gate, the image from which is combined into one. If the ball crosses the line, the referee will receive a signal. This scheme is called the Hawk-Eye. It was used before, but in other games: tennis and cricket. The second option is a little more complicated. A certain magnetic field is established throughout the goal area, and a microchip is sewn into the ball. If the goal is successfully completed, the referee also receives a sound signal. This option for automatic goal detection is called GoalRef, and it has also been used earlier in handball.
Testing of the automatic goal detection system began in July 2011. A number of requirements were imposed on her. First, it must work in all weather conditions. Secondly, it must almost instantly notify the referee about the goal being scored. And, thirdly, the system must be one hundred percent accurate. Only the Hawk-Eye and GoalRef systems are suitable for all these requirements. And on July 5, 2012, they both received the approval of the International Council of Football Associations. From now on, automatic goal detection systems can be used in any football match.
Most likely, the first game in which this innovation will be used will take place in December 2012 in Japan. The system will then also be used in the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup.
