VIDEO REPLAY INTRODUCED FOR EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The start of the 2023/24 season in the EHF Champions League Women and Machineseeker EHF Champions League saw a major innovation with the introduction of video replays in all arenas.
The system gives referees the option to immediately watch a situation on a TV screen if they were not able to see the complete action on the court or if they wish to check again before reaching a final decision.
The EHF signed a five-year partnership agreement with leading French audio and video solutions company VOGO to implement the move in the EHF Champions League. The agreement will enable the use and further development of VOGO’s solution for video refereeing.
Meanwhile, the EHF also extended its existing partnership with VOGO for the upcoming Women’s and Men’s EHF EURO tournaments in 2024 and 2026.
The system in use is VOGO’s VOGOSPORT ELITE video replay solution, combined with the already used VOKKERO SQUADRA ONE communication system. VOKKERO SQUADRA ONE provides not only a high audio quality in any noisy environment and a strong robustness to interferences but also enables the EHF to make the next step to improve the referees’ performance.
VOGOSPORT ELITE solution includes a TV broadcast stream and six raw camera shots for the referees to rewatch the match action in case of a doubt.Christophe Carniel, chairman and CEO of VOGO, said: “We are delighted and proud to be supporting the EHF with our VOGOSPORT equipment. After obtaining FIFA’s VAR, VAR Light and VOL certification, this new contract demonstrates that our live & replay solution has become a must-have in the world of sport.”
Martin Hausleitner, EHF Secretary General, said: “The European Handball Federation is thrilled to start a long-term partnership with VOGO, after we already successfully cooperated at previous events. It is our goal to develop the competitions in all areas of the game, and it was a natural step to integrate the video refereeing system to our top-tier club competitions.”
Michael Wiederer, EHF President said: "Overall, the EHF is not only focusing on further development on a technical level, but specificaally on the point where decisions are made by the involved protagonists and on the court in order to secure transparency in this intensive sport."
