FIFA will roll out “advanced semi-automated offside technology” for VAR at the Club World Cup, which could eliminate the kind of situation that led to Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi being placed in an induced coma.
Awoniyi suffered the injury after colliding with the post late in a game against Leicester City last month after the assistant kept the flag down to allow the move to play out, with the 27-year-old shown to be clearly offside. He had to undergo “urgent” surgery on an abdominal injury, but later fully recovered.
FIFA held successful trials of the enhanced offside tech at the Intercontinental Cup in December, and at a number of youth tournaments. It gives a quick audio signal in the assistant’s ear, instructing them to raise the flag in very obvious offside situations, like that of Awoniyi.