Belgium goal ruled out using never-before-seen ‘cricket’ technology

BELGIUM were denied a late equaliser against Slovakia courtesy of a piece of technology never before seen in football.

The Red Devils suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in their opening game of Euro 2024 after Ivan Schranz pounced on an early Jeremy Doku error.

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Belgium thought they had an equaliser on 56 minutes when Romelu Lukaku slid in to convert from close range from Amadou Onana’s knock down, only for a VAR check to rule him as being offside.

But with just four minutes of normal time remaining, the ex-Chelsea and Manchester United forward finally thought he had his goal.

Substitute Lois Openda did superbly down the left to race away and find his team-mate in the middle to slot home.

However, a new piece of technology intervened to deny Lukaku once again.

And it reminded most of the snickometer, commonly known as Snicko.

That is the system used in cricket to determine whether the ball touched the edge of the bat for a potential dismissal such as a catch or leg before wicket.

Referee Umut Meler went over to the pitchside screen following a VAR check where he judged that Openda had handled the ball as he got away from his man down the wing.

But while the official made his decision, a new feature popped up on screen that showed how much the touch by his hand affected the flight of the ball to help him make up his mind.

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Ex-Premier League forward Chris Sutton called the decision “scandalous” on BBC’s website, saying: “It is ridiculous, it really is. Openda doesn’t intentionally push the ball into his path.

“That is harsh. In the Premier League that goal would stand.”

But Christina Unkel, ITV’s referee analyst, explained: “The deliberation interpretation has recently changed.

“However, this is going to be considered a deliberate offence as the arm is near the shoulder level because the arm is extended and the touch helps control the ball.”

We reported previously how fans at home watching Euro 2024 will benefit from an equivalent of cricket’s “snickometer” this summer.

For the first time ever, broadcasters will be sent a “touch detection” graphic that is used by tournament referees to make key decisions.

The technology can offer greater clarity around offside and handball decisions made by officials.

Images will be available to viewers whenever they are used to make a significant judgement during any European Championship game.

Match balls at Euro 2024 are fitted with a motion-sensing microchip that can track every touch at a rate of 500 times a second.

The high-tech “Connected ball” was effectively used at the World Cup in Qatar two years ago.

It is capable of determining whether the ball makes contact with a hand en route to goal or whether a player strayed beyond the last defender at the exact moment the ball was played.

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