Limb-tracking offside technology is being used at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, so when we step onto the field to face Al Hilal today, we will be the first Premier League – indeed European – side to try the system.

How it works

The semi-automated offside technology was first tested during the FIFA Arab Cup in Doha late last year. Limb-tracking technology relies on a dedicated camera system - installed under the roof of the stadium - that captures the movement of all the players and the ball. Up to 29 data points per player are provided, and they make up each player’s animated skeleton to judge which part of the body is furthest forward.

The limb-tracking data extracted from the video is then sent to the operations rooms, and the calculated offside line and the moment the ball was kicked is provided to the replay operator in almost real-time.

VAR officials will then receive an almost instant alert telling them whether the technology determines a player is offside or not. The VAR will validate the decision before relaying it to the referee.

Examples so far

It has already been used to good effect in Abu Dhabi. Al Jazira striker Zayed Al Ameri had a goal disallowed in the tournament’s opening game, and last night Mohamed Sherif of Al Ahly was denied. On both occasions, the technology was successfully deployed in under 20 seconds from start to finish.

The decisions have been shown on the big screens to supporters inside the stadium, with the technology capable of moving the cameras in line with the incident in 3D form.

What will it improve?

It is hoped the speed in which offside decisions are made will significantly increase, and the transparency of those decisions much clearer to all. The technology will be able to pinpoint the precise moment the ball is played, rendering the prior issue of camera frame rates irrelevant. Assistant referees will also no longer need to delay raising their flags.

FIFA are targeting to launch the technology at the World Cup later this year, with domestic leagues set to implement it from the start of the following season.

At our last appearance at this tournament in 2012, goal-line technology was successfully trialled. Now, as the Blues seek to make history by winning the Club World Cup for the first time, a further positive step forward in the future of football officiating could be made.