Innovation in Elite Refereeing Through AI Technological Support for DOGSO Decisions

Abstract

Digitalization is driving social and economic change – in soccer, too. Artificial intelligence will increasingly solve problems and further intertwine the relationship between people and technology. Largely unexplored – but at the same time significant due to economic, psychological and sporting problems – are digital innovations in refereeing. Gottschalk et al. (2020) showed the potential for artificial intelligence and digitalization in refereeing. In a next step the researchers worked with the refereeing department of the German Football Association (DFB) to gain further insights for digitization in elite refereeing. As a result potential was identified for DOGSO decisions. The researchers conducted various interview rounds with elite referees of the German Football Association to identify all factors of human assessment influencing DOGSO decisions. The objective was to define a criteria system which can be evaluated by technology. As a result, more than 40 factors determining DOGSO decisions have been identified.