Artificial intelligence will be used to help referees make the right offside calls at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi this month.
The technology works by placing a camera system under the roof of the stadium that tracks the movement of each of the players and the ball.
Up to 29 data points are created for each player, creating an animated skeleton of every footballer on the pitch.
A 3D recreation of events on the pitch can then be assessed up to 50 times a second to help officials reach the correct decisions.
“We strongly believe that access to this new data source can positively impact the game by optimising decision-making processes and increasing objectivity,” said Johannes Holzmueller, Fifa’s director of football technology and innovation.
“However, we are only at the beginning of this development journey and possible use cases need to be tested thoroughly to assess the capabilities with a view to eventual implementation.”
Fifa has confirmed the new system will be trialled at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, which kicks off on Thursday.
If the trial period is successful, the technology could become a permanent facet of top-level football.
European champions Chelsea will compete with clubs from across the world, including Brazilian side Palmeiras, hosts Al Jazira, Al Hilal and Egyptian champions Al Ahly for a place in the final of the Club World Cup on February 12.
Officials are now able to watch an entire match using virtual animation with only a few seconds’ delay.
Fifa claims the new system will provide access to the game from the viewpoint of any player on the pitch, enabling officials to have multiple angles to assess a situation before making a decision.
The limb-tracking technology was also used at the Fifa Arab Cup, held in Qatar in December.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
