The refereeing body is using the software to review key match incidents
SBG Sports Software has supplied the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL), the professional referees body for English football, with a system for reviewing key decisions from home.
With coronavirus restrictions meaning that match officials can’t currently meet in person to review decisions after games, they have had to turn to virtual meetings. However, this came with problems including home internet connections and confusion over which frame of footage they should be looking at – which led to information being missed and meetings taking longer.
In response, the technology company supplied a video review hub at short notice, which allows presentations to be uploaded and the operator to drive the session on the attendees’ devices – and works with fellow product MatchTracker.
The playback is full frame rate and broadcast quality, with accurate frame jogging. Video integration means pre/post rolls of clips are already set, and, importantly, slow internet connections can pre-sync the video prior to the presentation.
This has allowed for a smoother experience at review sessions, and saved time for PGMOL. It is believed that it could also be useful for other sports and industries.
Mike Adamson, head of systems & analysis at PGMOL, said: “The deployment of SBG within the PGMOL has proven an invaluable asset to our workflow and productivity, including overcoming specific challenges with remote working.”
The system will likely be in use for the review sessions during the new Premier League season, which gets underway 12 September – and had its fixtures released today.