FIFA and Hawk-Eye Innovations are joining forces to create the Football Technology Center AG, a joint venture to study and develop new football technologies. Particular attention will be paid to the new generation of algorithms to automate the detection of incidents in the field and optimize decision-making. Beyond the automatic collection of event-related data, this partnership provides for the development of semi-automated offside detection technology which provides referees with precise and consistent information in order to accelerate the decision-making process in the event of potential offside. Designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of football as a whole, these applications and other upcoming developments will then be made available to the entire football community. “This joint venture illustrates FIFA’s desire to use technology to improve football, but also to play a major role in technological development for the benefit of its 211 member associations,” said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. . “This initiative will have a positive impact on our sport by automatically providing information that facilitates the decision-making process and ultimately improves the experience for all stakeholders. »
“Given the extremely competitive nature of football and the constant evolution of the sports technology industry, Hawk-Eye intends to continue to look strategically to the future. We are incredibly proud to collaborate with FIFA through this joint venture, to continue to offer innovative solutions that will help make football smoother, more precise, fairer and more spectacular for everyone, at all levels,” says Rufus Hack , general manager of Hawk-Eye.
“The creation of the Football Technology Center represents the natural evolution of our relationship with FIFA. This initiative will put technology and artificial intelligence at the service of the future of refereeing, performance and interaction with supporters. » The two organizations have been collaborating since 2017 to improve the use of football technologies in several FIFA competitions with the common ambition of notably improving the integrity and fairness of football. Investigating existing and emerging technologies that could positively impact football remains one of the main objectives set out in the document: Football unites the world – Strategic objectives 2023-2027 for global football2023-2027.
