Exclusive: AI needed as ‘doubt’ emerges on Brighton v Nottingham Forest VAR call
Nottingham Forest benefited from a contentious VAR call in their thrashing of Brighton that shows technology must be changed as soon as possible, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was an “element of doubt” on the decision to award a goal, after Chris Wood scored Forest’s third goal in the 32nd minute.
Forest ran riot against Brighton in the Saturday afternoon early kick-off between the two, winning 7-0 thanks to a Wood hat-trick.
However, upon review of Wood’s first goal of the afternoon, the VAR room were looking at the offside call from an off-angle, not allowing them anything close to a straight view of the striker and his defender.
Brighton unfortunate after Nottingham Forest make the most of close call
Following an own goal from Lewis Dunk, and a header from Morgan Gibbs-White, Forest found themselves in a comfortable lead against the Seagulls.
In the 32nd minute, Anthony Elanga broke down the right-wing and looped a beautiful cross to the back post, with Wood meeting the cross and heading past Bart Verbruggen.
Following a review from VAR, the decision was made to allow the goal, despite the angle from which the offside was being judged from to be less than ideal.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the decision, Hackett was clear that changes need to be made to overcome technological uncertainty: “The Premier League in order to give clarity and improved accuracy on offside decisions must bring in the semi-automated offside system.
“With its dedicated cameras and the use of AI, plus of course the chip in the ball, it will reduce the amount of time it takes to come to these decisions.
“Clearly, when you look at the angles using broadcast cameras there’s is always an element of doubt on these close calls.”
Brighton would go on to lose the match 7-0, and Leicester target, Tariq Lamptey was at fault for one of the goals.
Following the appalling result for the Seagulls, they may look to improve their squad in the last few days of the transfer window, having been linked with Sunderland winger Tom Watson.
In other news, Brighton have pulled ahead of Spurs in the race to sign a Greek wonderkid.
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