The Use of Video Technologies in Refereeing Football and Other Sports (Routledge Research in Sports Technology and Engineering)

For a long time, various different lobbying sectors have claimed that the use of video technology is an effective aid in decision-making. Now the IFAB has taken a historic step in the approval of experiments on the use of video to provide support to football refereeing. The Use of Video Technologies in Refereeing Football and Other Sports analyses the capacity of audio-visual technology from different perspectives to help understand the best implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in football and, more generally, in other sports. This book addresses in-depth interdisciplinary viewpoints on the need and the opportunity of the implementation procedures regarding how to use it, considering that it could lead to very important changes. The book goes on to examine various approaches to the most interesting topics for players, amateurs, coaches, referees and referees' coaches. Offering viewpoints from both academics and professionals, this new volume addresses the VAR issue in a multidisciplinary way, analysing the implications of video replay application in football from the perspective of players, coaches, television professionals, referees, amateurs, sports lawyers, media and educators. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Contributors Preface Acknowledgements PART I: The Need for Video Assistance in Football 1. Between Scepticism and the Long-Awaited Quest for “Football Justice” Introduction: The Advent of Video-Assisted Refereeing: Changing to Improve? The History of Football Seen through Refereeing Mistakes The Opinion about VAR of the Main Actors in International Football and its Impact on the Media The Ambivalent Opinion of Team Managers Regarding VAR What Do the Referees Think of the New VAR Technology? Conclusions Notes References 2. The Contribution of VARs to Fairness in Sport Introduction History of the Laws of the Game and Disciplinary Rules of Football: the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Security versus Doubts: Which Is Better for Football? Fans and VARs The Transformation of Football through VARs Conclusions Notes References PART II: Video Broadcasting Limitations 3. Is it the Same for the TV Screen as for the VAR? Planning the Use of Cameras and Replays to Solve the Controversy Introduction The TV Show and Good Television VC Is Always a Construction from the Director’s Point of View: Total Objectivity Does Not Exist Creative Figures in the VCP of Football Transmissions: Producer, Director, Realizador, Réalisateur The Football Script Principles of Planning Operations Plan and Narrative The Canonic Structure Roles and Assignments Replay Planning Plan Modifications Discussion: The Commitment of the Director and the Arrival of the VAR Technology Helping Refereeing VAR Principles VAR Narrative Execution of the Replay Plan Conclusions Notes References 4. The Interaction between Audio and the Video Assistant Referee in Football Introduction VAR Technology: A Necessary Evolution Technological Innovations in Football Video and Audio in Football’s VAR Aspects of Audio to Be Considered in Football Refereeing Communications Analysis Conclusions Notes References 5. Replays in Football: A Technical Resource that Serves as a Narrative and Post-Refereeing System Introduction Replays: Basic Principles and Initial Considerations Replays: Selection of Entry and Exit Points Length and Space for Replays Replays and Post-refereeing Conclusions Notes References PART III: Video-Assisted Officiating in Other Sports 6. Instant Replays in the Spanish Basketball League: ACB Introduction Instant Replay (IR) System in the Liga ACB Conclusions and Future Considerations for the IR in Liga ACBBasketball References 7. Instant Replay in the National Basketball Association Introduction What the Media Say A Brave New World: Big Brother and How Technology Has Changed It All Conclusions Acknowledgement References 8. Video Technology for Refereeing in Other Sports: Tennis and Rugby Introduction The Nature of Tennis and Rugby, and the Restrictions on Refereeing Audio-Visual Technology and Its Evolution in Relation to Sports Broadcasting Key Aspects and Minor Criticisms of the Technology Spatial and Temporal Resolution Other Visual Improvements The Narrative, the TV Viewer’s Confidence and Justice The Use of These Systems The Stakeholders and Implementation of the Review Systems in Tennis Conclusions Acknowledgements References 9. Instant Replay in the National Football League Introduction Technological Implementation in the NFL First Instant Replay Experiments The Evolution of the Instant Replay Rules and Principles The Coach The Debate about Eliminating Instant Replay Time Control in the Instant Replay Professionalism in NFL Technology Is Not Infallible The Importance to Enhance Fans’ Viewing Experience Conclusions References PART IV: Experiments with Video Assistant Referees 10. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Protocol Introduction The VAR Protocol Guiding Principles Participants and Their Roles Technical Means Location of the Video Operation Room (VOR) Strategic Location of the Cameras Availability of All the Footage Referee Review Area (RRA) Adequate Communication System The Challenges of the VAR System The Possible Loss of Credibility of the Refereeing Team Response Time Potentially Conflictive Situations Period of Time in Which an Incident Can Be Reviewed Initial Experiences The Biggest Test – Using the VAR System in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Recent experiences in the Spanish La Liga 2018–19 (First Division) The Approach of Refereeing Teams to the Use of the VAR Does the VAR System Require Any Type of Special Psychological Capacity on the Part of the Referee on the Field and/or the VAR/AVARs? Future Developments Conclusions Note References 11. VAR Experiments in International Matches Introduction 130th IFAB Meeting: VAR Experiments Are Approved 131st ABM–IFAB Meeting Sample and Methodology 2016 Friendly Matches FIFA Club World Cup in Japan and Controversies 131st AGM–IFAB Meeting andSecond Stage of the Experiments FIFA U-20 World Cup, Korea Republic 2017 Workshop, 30 May 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, Russia 2017 Press Conference after Group Stage, 26 June 2017 Semi-finals Finals Press Conference at the Closing of the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Copa de Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana Copa de Libertadores Copa Sudamericana FIFA Club World Cup 2017 132nd IFAB Annual Business Meeting, 22 January 2018 IFAB Annual General Meeting Conclusions Notes References 12. VAR Experiments in the Bundesliga Introduction Methods The VAR Experiments in the Bundesliga – Trial and Error The Technical Crisis and First Expressions Cologne vs Cologne and Universal Shortcomings The Fundamental Crisis Happy Holidays and New Year’s Resolutions Smooth Start to 2018 (Except between the Lines) and Permanent Introduction Not a Strong Finish after a Break Catches the VAR Quantitative Analysis of the Live Tests 2017/18 Discussion – The VAR: A Story of Success? Conclusion References 13. VAR Experiments in the Italian Serie A League Introduction: The Arrival of Video-Assisted Refereeing in Italy: Will Technology Improve Football? Methodology The Long Road to the Implementation of the VAR System in Italy: A Success Story with Controversy The VAR Is Presented in the Serie A Championship, and the Controversy Begins The First Results of the VAR System in Italian Football The Media and Their Pedagogical Function Regarding the VAR System OneYear of the VAR in Italia Conclusions Notes References 14. VAR Experiments in Major League Soccer (MLS) Introduction Methods Initial Experiments in the USL PRO Referees and the Video Review System Initial Quantitative Evidence from 2017 and 2018 Notable Early Uses of VAR in MLS Conclusion References 15. How Twitter Has Portrayed the VAR Twitter as a Communication Tool Methodology Information via Twitter Pretest on FIFA, IFAB, Marca, and LaLiga Final Results IFAB and FIFA’s Line of Communication The Media Take the Floor What Do the Top Leagues Have to Say? Did the FWC 2018 Mark a Before and an After in the Use of the VAR? Conclusions Notes References PART V: New Challenges in Refereeing Performance 16. Educating International Football Referees: The Importance of Uniformity Introduction Technical Training for Elite Referees and TechnicalInstructors The FIFA Referee Assistance Programme (RAP) FUTURO III Courses for MA Referee Instructors Member Association Refereeing Courses Seminars Previous to Competitions Seminars and Training Activities for Regional Competitions 2017: Special Meeting with the Confederation Referees Department Heads Implementation of VAR: New Needs and Special Courses for MA Representatives Referee Education Programmes Developed by FIFA Confederations Confederation Participation in the FIFA World Cup Conclusions Notes References 17. Didactic Teaching Strategies for the VAR: An Approach to Gamification and 21st-Century Skills Introduction Gamification 21st-Century Skills and the Digital Referee A Didactic Proposal for VAR Instruction Goals, Skills, and Contents Method: Designing the Course as a Game Conclusions References 18. Psychological Response of the Referee to the Introduction of VAR Introduction The Complexity of Decision-making of Referees in the Real World: The Need for a VAR Referee’s Psychological Response to the VAR System: Anxiety, Self-confidence, and Motivation Leadership and VAR Discussion: Is Psychological Training for Referees Necessary? Conclusion References Glossary Index