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      Top 10 best and worst innovations in sport with goal-line technology a fan favourite but VAR most hated

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      INSTANT REPLAYS, rewinding live TV and slow motion have been revealed as the best technological innovations in sports broadcasting.Research of 2,000 sport lovers also found 360-degree pitch-side cameras, spider and drone cameras and being able to stream sport to a phone or tablet are among the top developments of recent years.
      Fans have not taken well to VAR, calling it one of the worst technological innovations in sportCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Goal-line technology, Hawk-Eye in tennis and photo-finish imagery in horse racing and running were said to be the best in-sport innovations.
      Unsurprisingly VAR is deemed the worst tech innovation in sport by more fans (31 per cent) than any other development.
      Despite that, nearly one in five fans said rugby is doing the best job of using technology to enhance the fans’ experience, suggesting there may yet be hope for VAR if officials learn how to use it properly.
      Technology has had a major impact on sport, with 76 per cent agreeing it has had a positive effect on the fans experience.
      The research was commissioned for Innovate 21, a new BT Sport competition to find the next big innovation in sports broadcasting.
      Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer, BT Sport, said, “There have been many impressive tech developments in the world of sport and broadcasting, particularly in recent years.
      “This research has highlighted the importance of tech for sports viewers.
      “Sport and sports broadcasting do not stand still though, and we are committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation.
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      BEST & WORST SPORTING INNOVATIONS
      TOP 10 BEST INNOVATIONS IN SPORT
      1. Goal-line technology
      2. Hawk-Eye/Cyclops Technology usually used in tennis
      3. Photo finish technology – used in horse racing, running and more
      4. Prosthetic devices for disabled athletes
      5. Under soil heating
      6. Retractable stadium roofs
      7. Wearable performance monitors – track speed, acceleration, power, distance and heart rate
      8. Head and Neck Support (HANS) – used in motorsports, this keeps the head from whipping forwards and backward in a crash, while also preventing excessive twisting movements
      9. Snickometer – used when televising cricket to graphically show whether a fine noise or snick occurs as ball passes bat
      10. Running apps
      WORST 10 INNOVATIONS IN SPORT
      1. Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
      2. eSports – competitive video gaming
      3. Fantasy football insight apps – these analyse data to help gamers
      4. Cavity backs – used in golf to help make misfired shots more forgiving
      5. Voice activated assistants
      6. Ingestible thermometer pills – allows a person’s core temperature to be continuously monitored
      7. Snickometer
      8. Under soil heating
      9. LZR swimsuits
      10. Sports analytics services

      “This is why we’ve launched Innovate 21 to create the opportunity for someone to make a game changing mark on the world of sport.”
      When it comes to nostalgia for sports technology, it was Teletext updates that topped the list, followed by waiting for Match of the Day highlights to catch up on all the goals. 
      Other highly-rated sports broadcasting developments included 4K definition, in-depth analysis and enhanced video players to view key moments during the game.
      Overall in sport the introduction of prosthetic devices for disabled athletes, undersoil heating and retractable stadium roofs also impressed respondents.
      Seeing the action more clearly as well as feeling closer to it and being provided with more insight and information were the most important roles of sports broadcasting, according to the study.
      Nearly a third thought the most-important role of tech in sport was to make the game fairer, while one in six believed it to be improving performance of athletes.
      Football topped the sports in terms of best utilising technology to enhance fan’s viewing experience followed by cricket and tennis according to the research via OnePoll.
      Snickometer divided sports fans with many seeing it as a great piece of tech while others found it less effectiveCredit: Sky Sports
      And aside from television viewing, 53 per cent have watched sport on a PC or laptop while 41 per cent have soaked up the action via their smartphone.
      Overall, 63 per cent believe technology has had a positive impact on playing sport and 74 per cent reckon it has made sport more accessible to a larger audience.
      More than six in ten people also believe it’s made watching sport a more sociable experience.
      Future-gazing fans revealed they’d also like to see increased use of artificial intelligence, augmented reality and real-time weather data and predictions in sport moving forward.
      BT Sport has launched Innovate 21 to find exciting new ideas, technology and services spanning the entire sports broadcast chain from entrepreneurs, creatives and start-ups.
      The competition will provide one lucky winner with the opportunity to work with BT to develop their idea for future use.
      Since winning the 2018 BT Infinity Lab competition, Sceenic has worked with BT Sport to support last year’s launch of Watch Together on the BT Sport App. 
      *More details on how to enter are available at BT.
      Sam Allardyce responds to major blow after West Brom have goal ruled out in questionable VAR decision More

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      Ex-Prem ref explains why VAR didn’t look at Youri Tielemans’ winner vs Chelsea despite Perez handball

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      VAR didn’t check Leicester ace Ayoze Perez’s handball in the FA Cup Final because it didn’t occur “immediately” before Youri Tielemans’ screamer The Foxes won their first ever FA Cup on Saturday after beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley thanks to Tielemans’ sensational winner.
      Chelsea players believed the referee should have checked VAR after Leicester’s winnerCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
      Leicester ace Youri Tielemans scored a screamer against ChelseaCredit: Rex
      However, the star midfielder’s stunner was met with some controversy as the ball hit Perez’s hand, via his knee, when he tried to intercept a Reece James pass in the build-up.
      Luke Thomas then picked up the ball and fed the Belgium international who launched an unstoppable 30-yard shot, which gave Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga absolutely no chance.
      A number of Blues players implored referee Michael Oliver to check the incident on VAR and a raft of fans echoed the same sentiments on social media.
      However, former Premier League referee Peter Walton explained that the supposed offence didn’t create Tielemans’ goalscoring opportunity and thus didn’t fall under VAR’s jurisdiction.
      Walton also claimed that Leicester ace Perez didn’t break any rules as the ball came off his knee first.
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      He told BT Sport: “It’s a subjective viewpoint whether or not it was handball.
      “Personally, I don’t think it was a handball, the ball has deflected off Perez’s knee and just caught his arm.
      “That in itself people may argue is handball, I don’t think it was.
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      “However, VAR would not have got involved in that incident because the actual goalscoring opportunity didn’t occur immediately when there was a potential handball.
      “There was seven seconds or so between that potential handball and the ball hitting the back of the net.
      “That’s not immediately and the law states it’s only an offence if the goalscoring opportunity happens immediately, so good use of VAR.”
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      Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s narrow loss against Leicester in the FA Cup final More

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      Watch Leicester fans celebrate in pub as VAR comes to rescue and disallows Ben Chilwell’s dramatic late equaliser

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      LEICESTER fans partied into the night after Chelsea’s equaliser, through their former hero Ben Chilwell, was disallowed for offside by VAR in the FA Cup Final.The Foxes beat the Blues 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday, marking their first ever FA Cup trophy, thanks to Youri Tielemans’ second-half screamer.
      Leicester fans passionately celebrated Ben Chilwell’s disallowed goalCredit: Football Daily/Twitter
      Chelsea ace Ben Chilwell’s late goal was disallowed for offsideCredit: Football Daily/Twitter
      Leicester won their first ever FA CupCredit: Football Daily/Twitter
      The west Londoners thought they had equalised after 89 minutes when old King Power favourite Chilwell reached in a delicious long ball by Thiago Silva and saw the ball deflecting between Caglar Soyuncu as well as Wes Morgan.
      Chilwell passionately celebrated the goal against his former team and didn’t hold back before the returning crowd at Wembley.
      However, VAR had a look and noticed that the left-back was marginally offside and overruled the initial call.
      A number of Leicester fans were filmed celebrating the decision with all their heart at a pub as some of them even climbed up the tables.
      These scenes made for an unusual situation as not many fans have celebrated a non-goal like this before.
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      But that is the impact VAR has had in English football ever since its introduction two years ago.
      Many Leicester fans also took to Twitter after the whistle to celebrate their historic achievement.
      Some decided to poke fun at Chilwell, who got booed by his former supporters at Wembley.
      One fan wrote: “Match ticket £57, train ticket £35, Ben Chilwell knee sliding and punching his badge for it to be ruled out for offside, priceless.”
      Another tweeted: “Ben Chilwell has to stand there watching the players he thought he was better than get a FA Cup winners medal hahaha.”
      While a Chelsea fan wrote: “For me the high of seeing Ben Chilwell get the equaliser and then seeing it chalked off a minute later because his big toe is slightly ahead is shattering.
      “Always hated VAR and this is beyond a joke.”
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      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t seem to be questioning VAR’s decision to overrule Chilwell’s goal.
      But Tuchel believed the help of technology should have been used after Tielemans’ stunner as it appeared like the ball hit Ayoze Perez’s hand in the build-up.
      The Chelsea manager said: “I’m not an expert in handball any more, I don’t know when it’s handball or not.
      “I don’t know any more when they need to punish it or it’s OK to play with the hand.
      “In the second half we controlled the match even higher, and we conceded a goal out of nothing, a fantastic goal, but a lucky goal of course.
      “And then we have a big chance with Mason [Mount], a fantastic save from [Kasper] Schmeichel, and offside goal, that was very, very close.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s narrow loss against Leicester in the FA Cup final More

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      Watch Chelsea disbelief as VAR disallows late equaliser to hand Leicester the FA Cup in dramatic Wembley scenes

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      CHELSEA were denied an equaliser in the final moments of Saturday’s FA Cup final after VAR spotted an incredibly tight offside call.The Foxes led 1-0 after a Youri Tielemans screamer at Wembley, which itself had to be checked for a potential infringement.

      VAR judged Ben Chilwell to be millimetres offsideCredit: BT Sport
      But Chelsea appeared to have denied them a first-ever FA Cup crown with the help of some penalty-area pinball.
      Ben Chilwell was picked out on the left flank and bombed into the area, picking out cross at the far-post.
      Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu cleared the ball – only for it to ping into the net as Wes Morgan rushed back alongside the tumbling Chilwell.
      The Blues defender celebrated a mad 89th-minute equaliser which was then ruled out in equally stunning scenes.
      VAR checked Chilwell against Soyuncu for a potential offside and judged the Chelsea man to be millimetres offside.
      Referee Michael Oliver then called back the play, sparking huge celebrations from the Leicester fans at Wembley.
      Chelsea thought they had snatched an equaliser in the final minuteCredit: AFP
      Chilwell celebrated his FA Cup final heroics at firstCredit: EPA
      VAR ruled out the goal on the tightest of marginsCredit: Getty
      Chelsea were left devastated by the decisionCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
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      The despair was clear on Chelsea faces and Thomas Tuchel’s team failed to muster a fresh response as the game drifted away.
      And the final whistle sent Foxes fans into raptures with a crowd of 21,000 allowed into Wembley.
      Leicester supporters had witnessed four FA Cup final defeats before the club’s first triumph on Saturday.
      I don’t know what is handball now or not. So I can’t comment and give my opinion and I don’t know why it’s okay.Thomas Tuchel
      Speaking after the 1-0 defeat, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel rued the disallowed strike alongside a Mason Mount effort that had been well saved by Kasper Schmeichel moments earlier.
      He said: “We conceded a goal from nothing. It’s a fantastic goal and a lucky goal.
      “We have a chance from Mason, an offside goal that was very close. We were unlucky today.”
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      On Leicester’s goal, the German claimed that Ayoze Perez may have committed a foul in the build-up and criticised the handball law.
      He said: “I didn’t see it. My assistant saw it on the screen on the bench and the players said it straight away that is was a handball.
      “It’s the second time; there was a handball against Arsenal and VAR didn’t intervene.
      “Today Leicester scored a goal but I’m not an expert in handball. I don’t know what is handball or not now. So I can’t comment and give my opinion and I don’t know why it’s okay.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Wembley welcomes 21,000 fans for Chelsea vs Leicester FA Cup final in biggest UK crowd since coronavirus lockdown More

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      Edinson Cavani slams VAR for ‘taking away charm of football’ as Man Utd star claims game ‘is becoming a slog for us’

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      EDINSON CAVANI has launched a scathing double attack on VAR and the failed Super League project.The Manchester United striker recently extended his contract after a successful first season at Old Trafford.
      Edinson Cavani has blasted VAR for ruining footballCredit: AFP
      But Cavani, 34, has now aimed a swipe at United’s owners, the Glazer family, for their plans to sign the Red Devils up for the Super League.
      The project rapidly collapsed last month amid near-universal condemnation.
      Uruguay international Cavani hit out in an interview with South American outlet DosDePunta: “When the Super League came around I told myself: ‘That can’t be possible – if it happens, what can we expect next?’
      “I don’t share its ideas at all. I am not in agreement with it.
      “You mustn’t deprive more modest teams the chance of playing in the Champions League.
      “Or stop average clubs from dreaming of competing with the bigger ones, and having a place among the elite.
      “You can’t deny fans of these clubs the chance to have this experience.”
      Cavani has been denied by VAR decisions, notably having a goal ruled out in United’s 3-1 win at Tottenham last month.

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      He rapped: “VAR takes away the charm and the essence of football.
      “You don’t know why a referee awards a penalty against you or rules you offside – or even how it works.
      “It is difficult. You score a goal and then have to wait two minutes before you can celebrate.
      “Or, even worse, you celebrate then they tell you it has been ruled out because your fingernail or your hair was in an offside position.
      “Or else because one of your team-mates committed a minor foul that nobody noticed – 14 passes before you put the ball in the net.
      “Us players don’t count when things like this are brought in. It’s a case of ‘Play and keep your mouth shut – you earn lots of money.’
      “Football is becoming a slog for us, even if there is some passion as well.
      “You need to keep a cool head to put up with this routine for a long time.”
      Former Paris Saint-Germain star Cavani has scored 15 goals in 37 United games this season, helping Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reach the Europa League final.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Solskjaer says he’s disappointed after Man Utd’s loss to Liverpool More

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      Real Madrid’s goal against Chelsea should NOT have counted, says referee expert after Casemiro ‘foul’ on Azpilicueta

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      REAL MADRID were fortunate to snatch an equaliser against Chelsea, according to one ex-referee who spotted a possible foul in the build-up.Karim Benzema expertly slammed the ball home during Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg.
      Casemiro beat Cesar Azpilicueta to the jump – but has been accused of committing a foulCredit: Rex
      Karim Benzema slammed home the resultant knockdown for the levellerCredit: Getty
      But some onlookers felt the short corner routine that brought about the leveller featured a foul.
      Marcelo’s cross was headed back across goal by Casemiro, who had beaten Cesar Azpilicueta in the air.
      Eder Militao then flicked it on for Benzema to swivel and smash past Edouard Mendy.
      It was Casemiro’s clash with Azpilicueta that was debated, most notably by Spanish former referee Andujar Oliver.
      The 72-year-old, who officiated for 23 years and made his LaLiga debut in 1980, felt the Brazilian had illegally jumped against the Chelsea defender.
      He told Marca: “Casemiro commits a foul on Azpilicueta before Militao heads to Benzema, who scores.”
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      THUNDEROUS FINISH! ⚡️Benzema smashes the ball home on the turn and volley. Such a clinical strike! Against the run of play Real Madrid are level… pic.twitter.com/byfE5d9wt6— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2021

      Neither referee Danny Makkelie or VAR called the 29-year-old midfielder up, perhaps taking the opinion that he had simply out-jumped Azpilicueta.
      The goal also came against the run of play after a confident start from Chelsea at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
      Following a bad Timo Werner miss, Christian Pulisic danced his way through the Madrid defence to score the opener.
      And while the away-goal draw puts the Blues in a good position for next week’s return leg, coach Thomas Tuchel was left wanting more.

      He said: “I think we started the game very, very well and very aggressive with a lot of courage and a lot of quality.
      “We deserved to win the first-half, for me. We had a lot of chances, we had a lot of half chances where we missed precision in the last ball to have more opportunities to score.
      “Unfortunately, they scored from a set-piece. There was nothing else normally to defend for us, we did not allow any chances so it was a bit of a disappointing result at half-time.”
      Tuchel also confirmed his reason for substituting Azpilicueta, 31, shortly after the hour-mark was the full-back appearing ‘very tired’.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel reflects on Chelsea’s first leg draw with Real Madrid More

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      West Ham win appeal over Fabian Balbuena’s ludicrous VAR red card for kicking the BALL

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      WEST HAM have won their appeal over Fabian Balbuena’s red card against Chelsea.The Paraguayan defender, 29, was shown a straight red card in the 81st minute after catching Chelsea ace Ben Chilwell while clearing the ball during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat.
      West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena has had his red card against Chelsea overturnedCredit: EPA
      The game was brought to a halt as the England left-back writhed on the ground in agony after feeling the full force of Balbuena’s studs on his calf.
      VAR official Michael Oliver then took a second look at the incident before telling referee Chris Kavanagh to make a decision using the pitchside monitor.
      Despite the replay showing Balbuena did not intend to make contact with Chilwell, Kavanagh jogged back to the pitch before producing a red card.
      A club statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that Fabian Balbuena’s red card in Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea has been overturned on appeal. 
      “The defender will now be eligible for the Hammers’ trip to Burnley on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3. 
      “On Saturday, Balbuena was sent-off with nine minutes of the match remaining, after making contact with the Blues’ Ben Chilwell in his follow-through from a clearance.  
      “Referee Chris Kavanagh was asked to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR official Peter Bankes and decreed that the No 4’s actions constituted serious foul play. 
      “The appeal against Balbuena’s red card was reviewed by an independent regulatory commission on Tuesday at the Football Association and, following this process, the defender’s suspension has been rescinded and lifted with immediate effect.”
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      Balbuena was sent off by Chris Kavanagh and VAR after his clearance made contact with Ben ChilwellCredit: Rex
      David Moyes blasted the decision at the time, saying: “I think it’s a decision made by somebody who has never played the game.
      “I don’t know where Fabio Balbuena is supposed to plant his foot.
      “If they do think that, then you’ll look at the one a few minutes later which was the same with Coufal and Rudiger.
      “It was a very similar challenge but they never did anything about it, so is there a consistent message to both of them?

      “I don’t see how it’s a red card. He’s kicked through the ball, I don’t think for one minutes there’s a bit of malice in that trying to catch him.
      “I thought it was a rubbish decision.
      “But we’ll go again, we’re in a decent position, there’s games to play and hopefully we are right in the mix for some form of European football right to the end and I’ll keep trying to push to make the Champions League if we can.”
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      David Moyes says the red card in West Ham’s game against Chelsea was a rank and rotten decision More

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      Prem ref Martin Atkinson reveals ex-Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referee Martin Atkinson revealed Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with – after the former Arsenal star invited him to ref his testimonial in the Czech Republic. And Atkinson said Alan Stubbs was the toughest player he has officiated, with the Everton hard man “scaring me to death”. 
      Atkinson is a big fan of the former Arsenal favourite after the former midfielder invited him to ref his testimonialCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Speaking at a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, the Prem whistler was asked who he enjoyed reffing most. 
      Rosicky arrived in North London from Borussia Dortmund in 2006. 
      His 10 year spell with the Gunners was hampered by a series of long-term injuries but he won two FA Cups before leaving for Sparta Prague in 2016 and retiring the next year aged 37.
      And Leeds-fan Atkinson, 50, said: “I’ve been lucky that I’ve got on with the vast majority of players but one that stands out is Tomas Rosicky.
      “I always got on really well with him. We just pleasantly got on, not best mates or owt like that but he was always really respectful. 
      “And when he left Arsenal, when he retired eventually, an unknown email came through and it was from Sparta Prague asking if I will go out and referee his retirement game. 
      “You just never expect that and it was just a nice thing.” 
      Atkinson, a former police officer, made his top-flight bow in the 2004/05 season.  
      And he named burly scottish centre back Stubbs as the toughest player to try and keep under control. 

      Asked who he least enjoyed reffing, Atkinson said: “Alan Stubbs at Everton. 
      “He would kick anything that moved, was hard as nails and scared me to death when I first got on. 
      “He was just so tough to referee that it was, like, impossible. I learned a lot from that – you learn how to manage players.”
      No-nonsense Everton defender making a beeline for Atkinson in 2007Credit: Alamy More