Late last month, the CFA released the 2024 China
AFC Cup (soccer championship)
Video Assistant Referee System Cooperation Project Competitive Consultation Announcement," which revealed plans for the possible use of a semi-automatic offside system in the AFC Cup final.
The announcement details the content of the project description, stating that "This project is for the 2024 China Football Association Cup Video Assistant Referee System (hereinafter referred to as VAR) services, the finalization of the cooperation unit by means of competitive negotiation, the services include the provision of VAR services for a total of seven matches from the sixth to the eighth rounds of the 2024 China Football Association Cup, and, if possible, the finals of the semi-automatic offside system."
Beijing Guoan defeated Shanghai Shenhua 2-1 at home in the Beijing-Shanghai match last night. During the match, despite the intervention of VAR, the penalties still caused great controversy due to the broadcasting position. The blown goal by Shenhua's Luis and the killer goal by Guoan's Wang Ziming were both widely discussed by fans and media of both sides.
These controversial penalties have once again highlighted the limitations of the video assistant referee system and the need to introduce more advanced technology such as the semi-automatic offside system. The semi-automatic offside system can reduce the chances of human error through more accurate technical means and improve the fairness and transparency of the game.
The CFA hopes that by introducing more advanced technological means, the accuracy of refereeing decisions will be improved, disputes will be minimized and the fairness of the game will be maintained. Whether the semi-automatic offside system will be used in the final of the AFC Cup has yet to be finalized, but the move will undoubtedly receive widespread attention.
