The UAE Pro League Committee recently experimented with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for the Arabian Gulf Cup final between Al Ahli and Al Shabab at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
The UAE Pro League Committee recently experimented with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for the Arabian Gulf Cup final between Al Ahli and Al Shabab at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. The technology was tested throughout the 90 minutes of the game without interfering on the match referee decisions.
LIVE HD deployed a Xeebra system from EVS to provide a solution for video refereeing. The UAE Football Association attended the trials through a specialised team from the UAEFA’s refereeing department to oversee the technical aspects.
Hamad Abdelrazaq, Director of Technology – Live HD gave an overview of the solution: We ran the trials with a Xeebra system, which is a small server placed in the stadium. This was connected to the EVS XT3 in the OB truck and the referees touchscreen. We chose cameras in the most critical areas on the field to view their footage on the Xeebra touchscreen.
Abdelrazak explained that the Xeebra system involves a simple setup which can be used by the referee with or without the help of an operator. Xeebras client/server architecture allows flexibility and scalability and let referees sit where they prefer.
We are ready with the system and the trials have been quite successful. Once the authorities decide whether they want to go ahead with the fifth referee we will implement the technology in the next season.
Ammar Hina, Director of Broadcast & TV Production Department at Pro League Committee commented: The initiative to deploy the video referee came as part of the PLC’s continuous efforts to develop all aspects of professional football in the Arabian Gulf League. The PLC is committed to provide logistic support for the referees to successfully officiate PLC organised matches with minimal impact on competing clubs by any refereeing decisions.
With Xeebra, referees can review plays using an intuitive touchscreen, the referee can narrow views from 16 to 4, 2, or full screen as needed to review every angle in great detail. From the touchscreen or a dedicated controller on the scoring table, users can pilot dynamic layout browsing, instantly zoom directly into the replay with a touch and zoom, and mark and label the most important situations for review and export later.
