Euro 2024 ball will include 'microchip' to detect handballs for goals and offsides

The official match ball for Euro 2024 will reportedly include a microchip to detect handballs for goals and offsides.

Over the last few seasons, handballs and offside calls have been two of the biggest talking points in the sport.

Ahead of next summer’s tournament in Germany, it has been reported that the Adidas ball will include new technology.

According to The Times, who claimed: “The microchip will work in tandem with limb-tracking technology that enables the real-time creation of 3D visual representations of players’ skeletons.

“These devices allow video assistant referees (VARs) to create a computerised image that displays exactly where the ball has struck the body.

“The microchip inside the Adidas match ball also allows technology to determine the exact time the ball was kicked, which, along with the limb-tracking cameras, provides ultra-accurate offside decisions.”

The report also stated that the officials who have seen the new technology in action have been left impressed by the level of accuracy.

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A semi-automatic system has been used to determine offside decisions in UEFA competitions so far, with chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti claiming that the system has more than halved the length of time taken to review offside decisions.

Last week, it was confirmed by the chairman of FIFA’s referee committee, Pierluigi Collina that FIFA competitions will use a new semi-automated offside system at this month’s Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Euro 2024 will take place across different cities in Germany from June 14 to July 14, with the final taking place in Berlin.

England will go into the tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way after losing the final against Italy three years ago.

Last week, the Three Lions were drawn in the same group as Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia. Meanwhile, Spain have been handed a potential group of death as they will face Italy, Croatia and Albania.