The Club World Cup kicked off this weekend with a dull goalless draw between Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly, a resounding 10-0 victory for Bayern Munich over Auckland City, and another 4-0 win for PSG over Atlético Madrid. However, beyond the results, these first few days were notable for the implementation of new technologies in refereeing, such as the referee’s sound system, which allowed Istvan Kovacs to explain his decisions to the entire stadium during the PSG-Atlético match.
These innovations, which also include the projection of VAR images on giant screens and the use of on-board cameras, are expected to improve transparency, understanding, and the fan experience during matches. In principle, all of this will help improve the image of referees, as is the case in other sports such as rugby, where they are highly respected.
The referee’s sound system takes center stage
During the match, Istvan Kovacs used the sound system to explain two key decisions. The first was a penalty awarded to Atlético Madrid after a handball by number 24, who increased his body surface area. Kovacs explained the foul to the crowd before Lee Kang-in converted the penalty in added time.
The referee’s second notable intervention came in the 58th minute, when he disallowed a goal by the Colchoneros after reviewing a foul on Désiré Doué at the start of the play. Both decisions were clearly communicated to the crowd, marking a milestone in the interaction between referees and fans.
Innovations already tested in other tournaments
Although the referee sound system made its debut at the Club World Cup this weekend, it is not the first time it has been used in soccer. FIFA already implemented it during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where it was successfully tested. In France, this technology was first used in the final phase of the 2024 French Cup and was used again in the semifinals of the following edition.
In addition to the sound system, the Club World Cup also introduced on-board cameras and the projection of VAR images on giant screens, allowing spectators to closely follow referee reviews.
