From the very beginning of discussion about implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football, the most popular sport in the world, IFAB and FIFA regularly held various events dedicated to the VAR technology, analysis and discussion of the procedures, processes and education programs for VAR specialists.
Since 2016 slomo.tv collaborates with the International Football Association (IFAB) in the field of implementation of video assistant referee technologies and processes in football. Slomo.tv is included in the official FIFA list of inspected VAR technology providers.
As one of the technology provider, the company regularly participates in IFAB/FIFA events dedicated to VAR, including workshops held in the FIFA headquarter in Zurich.
From 22 to 25 October for the first time in history FIFA held at its headquarters the "VAR Instructor Course".
The main goal of the course was to train the representatives of football federations of more than 20 countries details of using the VAR. The training included theoretical and practical classes. For the practical part technology providers installed their systems so that potential users could get the practical experience of working with the various VAR systems and evaluate them.
Slomo.tv provided a 12-channel compact (1U, 5kg) videoReferee®-SR; a compact video judging system incorporated into standard replay controller "Ripley"; and a new modification of its videoReferee®-FC. The system allows working with 32 3G channels and provides two completely independent workplaces for replay operators (RO). (Extended videoReferee®-FC configuration supports up to 4 workplaces).
The referees had the opportunity to work with live video signals captured from the FIFA training field, where young athletes (U17) constantly created "reviewable" controversial moments. Also 24 channels video from real matches was provided to videoReferee®-FC from the slomo.tv’s «Academy» system, designed for training operators and referee assistants.
Representatives of the football leagues and federations gave high marks to the accuracy and speed of decision-making process using the slomo.tv videoReferee® systems. Powerful servers, well-designed interfaces and control panels, as well as 2 independent workplaces allowed the replay operators (ROs) to review the controversial moments faster than with other systems.
