Today's Gazzetta dello sport in Italy published the final report of the 1st season with VAR in Italy.
Errors down from 5.78% to 0.89%
Avg time for decision 31.5 sec
Bookings for complaining to refs -17%
Sending off -7.1%
Simulations -35.3%
Total of 117 decisions changed after seeing var
It has to be said that simulations and protests were a much bigger problem in Italy than in England.

Edited by Ian-VI (09 Jun 2018 7.52am)

The best footie management game: [Link]

I believe that it the automation of officiating in football will begin with the ARs (linesmen) and will concentrate on enforcing offside. The football ref has to cover a much greater distance/area and has a more complex series of decisions to make. For example, George Courtney's famous penalty decision in the 1989 playoffs was for a foul by Colin Hendrie on Mark Bright, not Eddie McGoldrick who had possession of the ball at the time. An automated official may not have made that call due to its concentration on who was in possession.

A more likely sport to have automated officiating is baseball. The rulings each umpire makes are specific to the base they are assigned to. There are experiments under way now for automated officiating for balls and strikes at home plate. Human umpires tend to have different strike zones based on how they set up behind the plate and also can be inconsistent during the game.

Edited by kenbarr (09 Jun 2018 8.55am)

Divorced...And LOVING it!
VJRAM Rev.
CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
Trevor Francis, International PRAT

Another major issue with automated officiating is security. Hacking into these systems is far too frequent and could affect the integrity of the sport. I've been working on remote voting in elections via the internet and security is the major stumbling block. Given the international nature of football and the influence of worldwide gambling interests, an automated officiating system would be a prime target for those who want to fi games for monetary gain. Given there is noted hacker sitting in the can at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London with nothing but time on his hands and an overweening ego to feed, Im sure for the right price he would be happy to provide his "services" to the highest bidder.

Divorced...And LOVING it!
VJRAM Rev.
CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
Trevor Francis, International PRAT

Automated Officials!

So does that mean that in a future FA cup final the robot referee will pose for pictures with Manchester United's legendary head of IT before the game?

One more point

I thought you were but just wanted clarification.

The thrust of my comments related to Technology being monitored remotely and decisions taken from afar by an individual(s) without the need for a referee enforcing the laws on the pitch.

VAR is tried and tested and successful? When and where? There have been so many teething pains it isn't funny. they need to get a system that works, which they haven't, before implementing it. Right now they have a system that mimics the NFL's "When is a catch not a catch?" This World Cup will be the true test with VAR decided at the ground rather than a central location. If anything, Sweet Fanny Adams isn't either dragging their heels or rushing in like headless chickens.

Divorced...And LOVING it!
VJRAM Rev.
CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
Trevor Francis, International PRAT