Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed out on his debut goal after semi-automatic offside technology (SAOT) intervened
New Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang actually netted against Dinamo Zagreb in the opening match of Group E of the European Champions League on Tuesday (6/9), but special semi-automatic VAR offsidewhich was used for the first time in full, annulled it.
Performance turbulence The Blues extended by Mislav Orsic. The Croatian striker struck in the 13th minute and secured all three points for hosts Dinamo Zagreb in the UCL group stage.
Thomas Tuchel’s men thought they had equalized four minutes after the break through debutant striker Aubameyang, unfortunately the ‘goal’ was void and Chelsea went home empty-handed after a 1-0 loss.
The Arsenal and Barcelona ex-striker was disallowed by the referee with the help of semi-automatic VAR, which was used for the first time in Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea in the Champions League.
Ben Chilwell charged offside on receiving a pass before passing the ball to Aubameyang at the far post.
The linesman raised his flag, and the deciding system offside semi-automatically confirms the decision.
The technology was again used to annull Copenhagen star Rasmus Falk’s goal against Borussia Dortmund in the opening match of Group G of the Champions League on the same day.
FIFA and UEFA have spent the last three years testing the technology offside semi-automatic (semi-automated offside technology or SAOT) AI-based or artificial intelligence and has now been used in the Champions League.
Previously, SAOT was tested by FIFA at the Club World Cup last February, and by UEFA in the Super Cup between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt in Helsinki last month.
FIFA had allowed it to be used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, before UEFA announced the use of SAOT in all Champions League group stage matches.
“For the good of football and refereeing, UEFA has always tried to use the best technology available,” said Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s chief referee.
“UEFA is always looking for technological solutions to improve football and support for referees. And this is what we want from SAOT in the future.”
