Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid coach, faced questions after a classic clash with Barcelona that ended without a victory for his side. He addressed a controversial offside decision that still sparked debate, expressing doubt about the lines drawn by video assistant refereeing. The debate centers on how to determine a player’s illegal position in Spanish football, and how VAR decisions can influence a league race that remains hotly contested.
People noted that Asensio’s offside claim rested on whether the ball left Carvajal’s foot before contact with the shooter. The shift brought by VAR is clear: modern lines stop at the passer’s first touch rather than when the ball leaves the attacker’s foot. This nuance has become a focal point in discussions about the accuracy of offside rulings.
Two methods are used to draw VAR lines, as highlighted by arbitration analyst Mr. Asubío who follows the Spain-based arbitration scene. The Hawk-Eye system, already deployed in major UEFA and FIFA competitions, relies on precise line placement to judge offside situations. Two lines are typically used to detect offside: a grid and the vanishing point method.
Two methods to draw VAR lines
The grid approach places a two-dimensional line along the defensive line for clear offside determinations. This rapid method provides a straightforward reference point for officials and viewers alike.
Vanishing Point: lines positioned on defender and attacker
The vanishing point method is the more nuanced approach. It uses lines drawn on the body parts of attacking and defending players that can affect scoring. This technique aims to capture the exact moment of potential offside, which can change the scoreboard and the match’s momentum. Arbitration experts explain this method as a way to translate real-time action into precise digital references.
These elements are applied consistently across all players at a game, including goalkeepers. The lines may account for parts lifted off the ground, represented by vertical projections created with three-dimensional technology. The crosshair position is adjusted with a narrow one-pixel precision line, enabling VAR to determine the offside position with high accuracy.
Kessie and VAR in the spotlight
The contrasting body parts used by the system, and the consistency of these parts across players, remain central to offside judgments. The technology can also incorporate vertical measurements to ensure that every relevant portion of the body is considered. This meticulous approach helps ensure fairness when deciding offside situations by comparing the attacker’s reach with the defender’s position at the exact moment the ball is played.
The operator’s task is to ensure the transmission and display of the final image that confirms the offside decision to the audience. The selected frames and line thickness are designed to show the decisive moment clearly, even if the audience sees a complex angle on screen.
VAR technology and Hawk-Eye in La Liga
Both offensive and defensive lines use distinct colors to differentiate the two sides. After drawing single-pixel lines for offside decisions, transmission lines may appear thicker where lines overlap, a condition used to declare offside. This layered display supports the final decision shown to viewers, ensuring clarity in the match’s most scrutinized calls.
Regarding the system itself, Hawk-Eye is calibrated for each game with several cameras covering critical areas. In La Liga, five cameras feed the analysis: a main camera, two inside the penalty area, and two on the goal line. This setup is designed to capture the action from multiple angles, reducing the chances of misinterpretation.
Key moment: the passer’s touch
Hawk-Eye can also utilize transmission devices to identify the exact point where the attacker contact happens. The system processes video at a high rate, typically around 50 frames per second, so the moment of contact can be pinpointed in a precise frame. This timing is crucial when assessing whether an offside legally affected the play.
The debate around Asensio’s disallowed goal illustrates this. Since the VAR era began, the frame used for decision-making is the first contact by the passer, in this case Carvajal, rather than the moment the ball leaves the attacker’s foot. This distinction can be confusing at first glance, and it explains why sometimes the displayed lines do not appear perfectly horizontal. Camera angle and perspective can influence how the lines seem to sit on the screen. If the broadcast camera is not perfectly aligned with the last defender, the reference line can appear a bit off. Arbitration experts emphasize that the practical outcome is what appears in the final on-screen image rather than the raw line geometry alone.
In practice, what matters is how the displayed image aligns with the moment of contact and defenders’ positions. The goal is to convey a fair and defensible call that stands up to scrutiny, even when different camera setups or angles might suggest alternate interpretations. The method used in La Liga, as explained by arbitration specialists, centers on the drawn lines and the precise moment captured in the frame where contact occurs, delivering a definitive conclusion for each offside decision.