FIFA and Adidas have partnered with Kinexon, a company based in Germany, to produce high-tech balls for the European Football Championship. The connected ball is equipped with a motion sensor microchip that can track every touch at a speed of 500 times per second, providing a new way for fans to experience the games.
During Euro 2024, the connected ball technology will be used to help identify handball and offside cases during matches. This technology is similar to the snickometer used in cricket and will provide an accurate way to track touches on the ball.
The chip inside the ball is more accurate than image-based systems used in VAR, as it can track touches at a rate of 500 times per second. During the 2022 World Cup, this technology helped the VAR team make real-time decisions, such as determining whether a goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo or Bruno Fernandes. This technology has increased transparency in UEFA matches and will provide viewers with detailed explanations of key decisions made by VAR during Euro 2024.
Giant screens inside stadiums will display technical explanations of VAR decisions, and this information will also be available to television viewers. This advanced technology aims to improve the accuracy of officiating in football matches and provide fans with a better understanding of key moments in the game.
