VAR correctly validated Olimpija goal, Slovenian referees' body states

The Slovenian Football Referees Association (ZNSS) has issued a statement clarifying a controversial offside decision during a recent match between Olimpija and Maribor, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The ZNSS asserts that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) process was executed correctly and that the goal in question was valid.

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The lines were technically flawless, and the process of determining them was in line with the rules and prescribed technical protocols.

Public debate arose regarding the offside lines drawn by the VAR system and their perceived angle relative to the football pitch. The ZNSS maintains that the "lines were technically flawless" and their determination followed established rules and protocols. They explained that the defensive line was set at the heel of a player on the ground, negating the need for further vertical projection. The attacking player's line was determined by their shoulder and then projected vertically onto the field.

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The camera is usually not positioned directly in line with the players and the offside line, but films the pitch at an angle and from above.

Based on these measurements, the ZNSS concluded that the Olimpija player was not in an offside position, confirming the validity of the goal. The association decided to release the VAR footage, despite it not being standard practice, due to public reaction. Hawk-Eye Innovations, the company behind the VAR technology used by UEFA, also provided an explanation. They noted that television camera perspectives, which are often not perfectly aligned with the players or offside lines, can mislead viewers. The system, however, relies on pre-calibrated field geometry and 3D space, not just the 2D television image, to ensure accuracy. This technical explanation aims to resolve the controversy and reaffirm the correctness of the refereeing decision.

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The system for determining offside does not rely solely on the television image, but on the pre-calibrated geometry of the pitch and three-dimensional space.