Each World Cup throws up a new tack of refereeing, and Qatar is no different. In Brazil 2014, goal-line technology was introduced and in Russia 2018 VAR was in operation for the first time. At Qatar 2022, there are now semi-automated offsides and officials are also adding heaps of added time on at the end of each half.
In England’s 6-2 win over Iran on Monday, a total of 26 minutes were added on due to lengthy injury stoppages for goalkeeper Alireza Beyranvand and Harry Maguire. Wales and the Netherlands saw 10 extra minutes added on at the end of their respective matches too, the Dutch benefitting with a second goal against Senegal eight minutes into injury time.
These long added-on periods are a result of Fifa cracking down on time-wasting. The total time being allocated can be calculated by the fourth official, who makes a distinction between natural delays in the game - such as free-kicks and corners - and deliberate stoppages such as celebrations, arguing and play-acting.
Speaking to ESPN ahead of the first game at the tournament, former World Cup official and Fifa referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina explained the reasoning behind the protocol. He said: “What we already did in Russia [2018] was to more accurately calculate the time to be compensated.
“We told everybody don’t be surprised if they see the fourth official raising the electronic board with a big number on it, six, seven or eight minutes. If you want more active time, we need to be ready to see this kind of additional time given.
“Think of a match with three goals scored. A celebration normally takes one, one and a half minutes, so with three goals scored, you lose five or six minutes.”
He added: “What we want to do is accurately calculate the added time at the end of each half. It can be the fourth official to do that, we were successful in Russia and we expect the same in Qatar.
“I am not talking about VAR intervention, this is something which is different and calculated by the Video Assistant Referee in a very precise way. It’s the fourth official who usually proposes the amount of added time and the referee tends to [ultimately] decide."
Meanwhile, goal-line technology is far more accurate at Qatar 2022 than it was in Russia, where a three-centimetre discretion was operated. Now, it is only a matter of millimetres. Elsewhere, the semi-automated offside technology has already caused controversy after its use in the opening match.
The system was used to cancel out Enner Valencia’s early strike for Ecuador against Qatar, a decision that was ultimately correct but caused mass confusion before the explanatory graphic was broadcast.
The technology tracks 29 points on each player 50 times every second, with the location of the ball tracked 500 times a second so that the timing of the pass can be assessed as accurately as possible.
It creates a three-dimensional image which allows for quick assessment for offsides, although any decisions needs to be checked, reviewed and authorised by VAR officials.
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