Television viewers of Euro 2024 are being introduced to the footballing equivalent of cricket’s snickometer during this summer’s tournament in Germany.
For the first time, broadcasters will be sent a “touch detection” graphic used by officials to make key decisions regarding handballs and offsides.
This summer’s tournament will be the first European Championship to feature an advanced match ball with a microchip that sends precise data to referees in real time.
The chip will allow officials to see exactly when contact was made with the ball, as with ‘snicko’ in cricket.
Such information could prove crucial in determining certain offside decisions, for example, as it will show whether an attacking player touched the ball on its way to a team-mate. It could also be used for handball decisions when the referees are unclear whether the ball struck the hand or arm of a player. The hope is that the technology will reduce the time spent by VAR in resolving such incidents.
However it did not take long for the Snickometer to ignite immediate controversy after Romelu Lukaku’s goal for Belgium was disallowed in their defeat by Slovakia – a decision branded “b——t” by Gary Lineker.
Romelu Lukaku put away a cross from substitute Lois Openda four minutes from time but the goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR check from referee Umet Meler. It was ruled that Openda handled the ball before running down the left to deliver the cross.