5G Standalone Technology Set to Revolutionize Football and End VAR Controversy, Says Futurist
In a groundbreaking report titled ‘Living in the Moment’, Vodafone has partnered with leading futurist Andrew Grill to explore the potential impact of 5G Standalone (SA) technology on various industries, including sports. The report highlights how this revolutionary cellular infrastructure network can enhance the accuracy of decisions made in football matches, potentially eliminating the need for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) controversy.
Since its introduction in the Premier League in 2019, VAR has stirred up significant controversy among football supporters. From contentious calls to lengthy deliberations, the technology has faced criticism for its inefficiencies and lack of transparency. However, with the advent of 5G SA technology, the need for VAR may become obsolete, while simultaneously improving the accuracy of decision-making.
By leveraging 5G SA, which promises faster speeds, lower latency, increased reliability, and enhanced security, various innovations can transform the sport. Andrew Grill predicts the utilization of smart ball technology, pitch sensors, wearable devices for players, and robotic agile cameras from multiple angles. These advancements would provide real-time data to match officials, TV producers, and viewers, ensuring everyone has access to the same information.
Grill explains, Today with VAR calls, you have to wait to see what the VAR official says. There’s replays, you’re looking at camera angles which can be a bit blocked. If we have all the information from the ball, who touched it last, and where it touched them by looking at sensors around the ground, you will no longer need humans to review imperfect information. We will have perfect information and data.
The rollout of 5G SA technology would allow hundreds of items on the field to be connected, enabling seamless data sharing. This comprehensive dataset can eliminate any ambiguity surrounding decisions, making it easier for officials and viewers alike to understand and accept the rulings. Instead of relying on limited camera angles, the use of sensors and AI-powered analysis would provide a more accurate and objective assessment of critical incidents, such as offside calls or foul challenges.
Moreover, the incorporation of AI into the decision-making process can help mitigate subjective calls, such as penalty decisions or red card incidents. Andrew Grill emphasizes that the combination of data and AI would remove human bias and emotional factors from on-field judgments, ensuring a fairer and more consistent assessment of events.
While some might argue that subjective calls could still be challenging to address, the potential of 5G SA technology combined with AI presents a significant opportunity to advance the way data is used in sports. By providing comprehensive and reliable information, fans can experience the sport in a whole new way, with access to valuable insights and camera angles that transform their view of the game.
Vodafone and Grill’s report identifies 5G SA technology as a game-changer that could transform various industries, including sports, within the next five to seven years. The seamless integration of data, sensors, and AI capabilities will revolutionize the sporting experience, ensuring that decisions are based on accurate and objective information. With their commitment to delivering 5G SA infrastructure, Vodafone aims to provide 99% coverage to the UK population by 2034, heralding a new era of innovation and connectivity.
As football fans eagerly await the eradication of VAR controversy, the potential of 5G SA technology offers a glimpse into a future where decisions are clear, accurate, and universally accepted. With improved connectivity and real-time data, the game will undoubtedly benefit, providing a fairer and more immersive experience for players, officials, and supporters alike.
