Previously employed referee is the subject of this news. - Brych is against incorporating AI into soccer.
Ex-football referee Felix Brych isn't a fan of the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in upcoming games. According to the two-time World Referee of the Year, he doesn't think it'll happen too fast in football. "It's crucial for maintaining game balance to have referees present on the field," he explained in an interview with the "Tagesspiegel" (Wednesday).
Brych, 48 years old and with 344 Bundesliga referee appearances, also mentioned that AI is on the rise in football. "There are ongoing attempts to monitor offside lines using technology, along with initial tests of AI evaluating foul plays based on experience values," he shared. But he insists on the necessity of humans deciding matters in the gray area, adding that AI can't assist with that.
Moreover, Brych also rejects the notion of trainers reviewing contentious instances, known as "challenges" in American football or tennis and hockey. "I'm not interested in that idea at all. Challenges have a lot of gray areas which could cause frustration down the line," Brych said. While he grasps the need for more transparency, where referees could be questioned, he's convinced the referee should retain control on the pitch. "The task of game management should remain in the hands of referees."
(Interview in the Tagesspiegel [paywall])
