Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Optimizing the Beautiful Game: VAR & Technological Advancements at Euro 2024

VAR and Technological Advancements at Euro 2024

Every major international football tournament brings its own innovations. Euro 2024 has continued this trend by introducing advanced technologies intended to refine the game and reduce human error in officiating.

Among these are the ‘connected ball technology’ and the semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), which are designed to assist with handball and offside decisions, respectively.

Advanced Technologies: A Double-Edged Sword

While these technologies aim to improve the accuracy of decisions in the game, they have also sparked controversies, particularly concerning the role of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) systems in football.

The ‘connected ball technology’ enhances the detection of physical contacts, such as handballs, by signaling when a player touches the ball.

SAOT, on the other hand, is designed to speed up offside calls by using a chip inside the ball to track players’ movements, eliminating the need for VAR officials to draw lines manually.

Controversies Surrounding VAR

Despite these advancements, the implementation of VAR has faced significant criticism during Euro 2024.

High-profile incidents have fueled debates over whether the technology is improving the game or undermining the spirit of football.

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, for example, had three goals disallowed due to these technologies, with contentious rulings that have been widely debated.

In one instance, teammate Loïs Openda was judged to have made a handball in the lead-up to a Lukaku goal, despite the contact appearing accidental and not affecting the play’s outcome.

In another match, SAOT ruled Lukaku’s goal offside by a marginal decision concerning his toes, highlighting the extreme precision that some argue detracts from the game.

Impact on Teams and Players

Scotland’s campaign at Euro 2024 was notably impacted by VAR decisions. A crucial penalty was not awarded when Stuart Armstrong was fouled, a decision that potentially cost them advancement in the tournament.

The referee in this match chose not to review the pitch-side monitor, a decision that has been heavily scrutinized.

Mixed Reactions from the Football Community

The football community’s response to these technologies has been mixed. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou criticized the over-scrutinization of plays, likening it to “turning football into forensics.”

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright and others have voiced frustrations, particularly regarding the precision with which offsides are now judged, which they feel robs the game of its fluidity and spontaneity.

Subjectivity Remains

A notable incident involving Xavi Simons’ disallowed goal against France demonstrated that despite technological aids, VAR decisions remain highly subjective.

The decision took several minutes and was ultimately based on the referee’s interpretation of player interference, which was widely contested.

As Euro 2024 unfolds, the role of VAR and new technological aids continues to be a hot topic. While these tools aim to bring fairness and accuracy, the footballing world remains divided on their impact.

The challenge lies in balancing technological integration with the preservation of football’s dynamic essence, ensuring that the spirit of the game is not lost to technological oversight.

Whether these tools will be refined or scaled back remains a key issue for UEFA and the broader sports community as they assess the legacy of Euro 2024.


Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Related Articles

Top Trending

Transition Your Business to Web3
How to Transition Your Business to Web3 Successfully
Decentralized Jobs with DAOs
The Future of Work: How DAOs Are Creating Decentralized Jobs
Cosmic Values
Cosmic Values: Value List for Pet Simulator X in 2025
Jada Pinkett Smith net worth
How Jada Pinkett Smith Built a Net Worth of Over $50 Million [Detail Guide]
cicely yasin bernhard
Cicely Yasin Bernhard: An American Actress, Singer, and Voice Artist

LIFESTYLE

summer birthday party ideas
Creative Summer Birthday Party Ideas for Kids in 2025
May 6 Zodiac
May 6 Zodiac: Positive Traits, Compatibility and More about Taurus
self storage solutions for life transitions
How Self Storage Can Help During Major Life Changes (Divorce, Moving, etc.)?
why is my poinsettia dying
Why Is My Poinsettia Dying? Tips To Revive Your Wilting Poinsettia Plant
crypto retirement plan strategies
7 Ways Crypto Can Reshape Your Retirement Plan for the Future

Entertainment

Cosmic Values
Cosmic Values: Value List for Pet Simulator X in 2025
Jada Pinkett Smith net worth
How Jada Pinkett Smith Built a Net Worth of Over $50 Million [Detail Guide]
cicely yasin bernhard
Cicely Yasin Bernhard: An American Actress, Singer, and Voice Artist
benny blanco net worth
Benny Blanco Net Worth: A Closer Look at His Wealth and Assets
Trump Tariff on Foreign Films
Trump’s 100% Movie Tariff Plan Shakes Hollywood in 2025

GAMING

Cosmic Values
Cosmic Values: Value List for Pet Simulator X in 2025
GTA 6 Release Date
GTA 6 Release Date Confirmed: Rockstar Sets May 2026 Launch
Common Mistakes New Streamers Should Avoid
10 Mistakes New Streamers Make (And How To Avoid Them)
Now.ggroblox
Play Roblox Online With Now.ggroblox Browser For An Ultimate Gaming Experience
Digital Ownership Lesson Gamers
The Digital Ownership Lesson Gamers Already Learned

BUSINESS

Transition Your Business to Web3
How to Transition Your Business to Web3 Successfully
How to Calculate Quarterly Tax Payments
How to Calculate Quarterly Tax Payments in 5 Easy Steps
credit suisse tax evasion
Credit Suisse Fined $511M for U.S. Offshore Tax Evasion Scheme
Trump Tariff on Foreign Films
Trump’s 100% Movie Tariff Plan Shakes Hollywood in 2025
executive finance education lbs cfo course
How London Business School’s CFO Course is Redefining Executive Finance Education?

TECHNOLOGY

How Web3 Is Enabling Decentralized AI Networks
How Web3 Is Enabling Decentralized AI Networks
OpenAI Windsurf Acquisition
OpenAI Acquires Windsurf for $3B to Boost AI Coding Capabilities
How to Spot and Avoid Web3 Ponzi Schemes
How to Spot and Avoid Web3 Ponzi Schemes
Acer Predator Helios 500 17 AMD Laptop Review
Acer Predator Helios 500 17 AMD Laptop Review, Specs, Tests, and Prices
NFC Technology
What is NFC Technology?

HEALTH

Connection Between Hydration and Urinary Health
The Connection Between Hydration and Urinary Health
Neuralink Brain Implant Patient Regains Speech
Neuralink Brain Implant Helps ALS Patient Regain Speech with AI Support
Wegovy for Weight Loss
Wegovy for Weight Loss: Is It Worth Buying Online?
Role of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in IVF
The Role of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in IVF with ICSI Success
Online Yoga Certificate Course
Why an Online Yoga Certificate Course is the Key to Advancing Your Practice