Latest news with #VideoAssistantReferee
ITV News
3 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
'Your items are offside': Tesco rolls out 'VAR-style' checkouts that record customers scanning
Tesco's new "VAR-style" self-checkouts have caused mixed reactions from customers, with the retail giant's latest effort to deter shoplifters being mocked on social media. The self-checkout system has been introduced into some stores, in line with a number of other retailers as the retail industry battles to contain a record rise in shoplifting. The new checkout system includes an overhead camera which records customers scanning and packing their shopping. Most customers will be used to the dreaded "unidentified item in bagging area" message but the new system, which uses AI technology, plays videos to the customer if they scan an item incorrectly. It also includes a message saying "the last item wasn't scanned properly". The AI technology has led to some customers and social media users joking that it is similar to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology used in football. Replying to this video which has been shared across social media, some viewers commented that the milk was "offside". A Tesco spokesperson said: "We are always looking at technology to make life easier for our customers. "We have recently installed a new system at some stores which helps customers using self-service checkouts identify if an item has not been scanned properly, making the checkout process quicker and easier." But not all shoppers agree, with many sharing their thoughts on the new system on social media. One instagram user poked fun at the new system in a comment: "Careful if you've already scanned one yellow label, two and you're off!" But some customers are unhappy with the new changes. One person on X (formerly Twitter) said: "This is disgusting public shaming from #Tesco; simply avoid this supermarket that is too lazy to open more tills and staff them properly." Other social media users defended the new system, one saying: "If you have nothing to hide there's no reason not to use it - it's there to stop shoplifting and therefore keep prices down, so will benefit honest shoppers in the long run." Some people questioned whether it would be able to deter shoplifters altogether, asking: "How does this prevent people putting stuff in shopping bag when they take it off shelf?" How bad is retail crime? Figures from April show that retail crime is now at the highest levels ever since policing records began, with over half a million offences in the last year alone. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed shoplifting offences had increased by 20% from 429,873 offences last year, to 516,971 this year. It was the first time half a million offences had been surpassed since policing records began in March 2003. But that number could be a drop in the ocean, because so many incidents are not reported by shopkeepers. Earlier this year the British Retail Consortium said theft had reached an "all-time high", with over 20 million incidents in 2023/24, costing retailers £2.2 billion. The trade association claimed that retail crime was "spiralling out of control" What are other retailers doing? Sainsbury's rolled out similar AI self-checkout technology across some of its stores earlier this month. While Greggs has announced it has had to remove self-service kiosks in some stores to try to fend off shoplifting. In at least five stores, sandwiches and drinks are now kept behind counters after a spate of thefts. Asda is trialling facial recognition technology in five of its Greater Manchester stores, in a bid to reduce retail crime. The two-month trial will see the faces of shoppers scanned from CCTV and compared to a database of "individuals who have previously committed criminal activity on an Asda site". If a match is found, Asda's head office security team will alert the store. Home Bargains, Southern Co-op, Budgens, Costcutter and several independent convenience stores use similar technology.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tesco shoppers mock 'VAR'-style cameras at self-checkout
Tesco's introduction of AI technology to some self-checkouts has led to customers joking that it bears a striking resemblance to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology used in football. The supermarket is aiming to reduce shoplifting by installing overhead cameras to identify when shoppers fail to scan an item properly, and then showing a live-action replay of the item not scanning. While some shoppers mocked the tech, others complained it was a step too far, with some saying they would not use self-checkout again. The move comes after shoplifting in the UK hit a record high in 2024. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales rose 20% last year to 516,971. But the number of thefts recorded by retailers themselves is even higher. Figures from the British Retail Consortium suggest there were 20.4 million thefts in the year to last September, up 3.7 million on the year before, costing retailers £2bn. Tesco said it had rolled out the technology across some of its stores in a bid to help customers using self-service checkouts to identify if an item hasn't scanned properly. The supermarket said it would make the checkout process "quicker and easier". If an item fails to scan, customers are shown a video on the self-service screen of their attempt, accompanied by a message saying "The last item wasn't scanned properly. Remove from bagging area and try again." It follows a similar move by Sainsbury's, which has rolled out AI recognition technology at self-service checkouts at some of its stores. "We regularly review the security measures in our stores and our decisions to implement them are based on a range of factors, including offering our customers a smooth checkout experience," said a Sainsbury's spokesperson. "VAR Decision – Tuna Disallowed," joked one commenter on a video posted on Instagram showing the technology flagging an item that had failed to scan properly, which has had more than 3.5 million views. "Clearly off side," added another. But on Bluesky, a user voiced fears that the technology could open the door to more surveillance measures. "What's next? Drones to follow… you about the store?" On Facebook, another user said he would "not use self-checkouts" after the technology was introduced. The move marks the latest attempt by retailers to try to stem the rise in shoplifting. Tesco has also introduced giant trolley scales at its Gateshead store, which prompted a similarly mixed response from shoppers earlier this year. "Am I at border control or Tesco?" asked one Reddit user. Last week Greggs announced that it will move its self-serve food and drinks behind the counter at sites where there are high levels of theft. And in 2023, photos circulating on social media showed supermarkets had fitted products including steaks and cheese with security tags, while coffee was replaced with dummy jars. Shoplifting offences in London on the rise Shoplifters 'out of control' and becoming more brazen, say retailers
New York Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Spain's Liga F to be first league to introduce ‘cost-effective' alternative to VAR
Spain's Liga F is set to be the first senior professional league to introduce Football Video Support (FVS), a 'cost-effective' alternative to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced plans to implement FVS — which will allow managers to challenge two on-field decisions per game — into the top flight of Spanish women's football for the 2025-26 season. Advertisement The RFEF says the decision to introduce FVS is the first step towards the full implementation of VAR in Liga F. The federation will 'seek FIFA's permission and guidance' to bring in the technology with a view to 'aligning the top men's and women's leagues with an equivalent VAR system in the medium term.' The decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting on Spanish refereeing reform in the women's game, with referee, club and player representatives agreeing to the introduction of FVS. FVS is billed as a 'cost-effective alternative to VAR' and was trialled at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup in May and the Women's Under-20 World Cup in September. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for the game's laws, announced in December that FVS trials were being extended. Similarly to VAR, the FVS system is designed to be used 'in the event of a possible clear and obvious error or serious missed incident' — a goal/no goal, straight red card, penalty/no penalty or case of mistaken identity, according to a FIFA press release from May. However, unlike VAR, those decisions are not automatically checked as there is no video match official, and instead the coaches make a review request to the on-field referee. FIFA states a coach can indicate they are challenging the decision by 'twirling their finger in the air' and handing a review request card to the fourth official. Only the team's head coach can make a review request, but players are entitled to ask their head coach to do so. FIFA said in May that FVS is its response to requests from member associations who are unable to implement VAR due to cost and number of cameras available, and it is not intended as a VAR replacement. VAR was introduced in La Liga from the beginning of the 2018-19 season and while the technology is used across international women's competitions, the knockout stages of the Women's Champions League and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), it is not common in domestic women's leagues. Advertisement The introduction of officiating technology in Spain comes after Real Madrid's historic win over Barcelona on Sunday was marred by a controversially disallowed goal. Barcelona's Jana Fernandez had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside with the game level at 1-1, before Madrid went on to win the game. ()
The Independent
27-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
The country that could be about to scrap VAR
Norwegian football stands poised to make a significant decision this weekend: whether to abandon Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in its top league, the Eliteserien. The vote comes after two years of turbulent implementation, sparking debate about the technology's impact on the game. The outcome will be closely watched internationally, given VAR's widespread influence since its official introduction to football in 2018. The potential rejection of VAR by a top-tier league raises questions about the technology's efficacy and acceptance within the sport. While intended to improve accuracy in officiating, VAR has been met with mixed reactions globally, often criticised for disrupting the flow of matches and generating controversial decisions. Norway 's experience reflects these broader challenges, leading to the upcoming vote. The Norwegian soccer federation brought in video technology in 2023, in a way some found controversial. That's because the decision was reached before Norway's member-run clubs could establish a unified position on whether they wanted VAR, leading to disgruntlement among some fans who felt the democratic process in the Norwegian game had been undermined. Disillusionment increased in the early months of VAR's adoption, with the technology taking seven minutes to decide on an offside call in one match. Disillusionment about VAR quickly led to active protests about the use of the technology – and some were very quirky in their nature. A match between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm was suspended – and later abandoned and restaged behind closed doors – after fans threw fish cakes and then tennis balls onto the field soon after kickoff. In the second tier, fans of Lyn disrupted a game by throwing champagne corks onto the pitch in what was viewed as a protest against VAR. Amid such strident anti-VAR sentiment at certain clubs, the federation agreed to set up a working group to look further into the issue. And in a vote in January of the 32 clubs making up the top two leagues in Norway, 19 voted to scrap VAR and 13 to keep it. A recommendation was sent to the federation to support the clubs' majority decision and remove VAR "as soon as possible." The federation's response In a blow to anti-VAR campaigners, the Norwegian Football Association came out in favour of the technology a week later, with president Lise Klaveness saying the association acknowledged processes needed improving but wanted to retain video officials. "The governing body unanimously concluded that the best thing for Norwegian football is to maintain and develop it," Klaveness said. For Anders Kjellevold, chairman of the Norwegian supporters' alliance, it felt like a betrayal, saying most people thought the vote of the top clubs would be decisive. "If we end up with a decision where the FA decides not to listen to the affected clubs in this issue, then we are undermining club democracy and club democracy is a bulwark against many of the negative aspects of football," Kjellevold said. The final decision on whether to scrap VAR will be taken at a vote at the federation's congress taking place over Saturday and Sunday. All clubs which are active members of the federation are allowed to vote, along with leaders of the federation's counties and members of the federation board. A majority decision is needed either way. Anti-VAR campaigners fear many clubs who vote will end up siding with the view of the federation, as is the tradition in major decisions in order to maintain good relations with the governing body. The vast majority of clubs which will be voting aren't affected by VAR because the technology is used only in the top division. Why are so many supporters unhappy? According to Kjellevold, anti-VAR sentiment lingers because the technology "is incompatible with the intention of the game of football." It ruins "the experience of football as a live spectator," he said, "because it brings up these stoppages in the game, it takes away some of the euphoria of a goal, which is just vital to a game and how we live it when we use so much of our time and effort to follow the game." Kjellevold is just as unhappy at how the whole process has been handled, chiefly how the teams most affected by VAR might not get their voices heard. The potential impact of the vote The result of the vote is significant on a wider level because Norway scrapping VAR might influence supporters in other countries to step up protests about the technology in an effort to remove it from their leagues. Premier League clubs voted in June to continue using VAR after being asked to consider scrapping the technology following controversies last season. Sweden is one of the few countries in Europe to have decided against introducing VAR to its league.
The Independent
27-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Norway could be about to scrap VAR – the football world is watching with intrigue
Norwegian football stands poised to make a significant decision this weekend: whether to abandon Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in its top league, the Eliteserien. The vote comes after two years of turbulent implementation, sparking debate about the technology's impact on the game. The outcome will be closely watched internationally, given VAR's widespread influence since its official introduction to football in 2018. The potential rejection of VAR by a top-tier league raises questions about the technology's efficacy and acceptance within the sport. While intended to improve accuracy in officiating, VAR has been met with mixed reactions globally, often criticised for disrupting the flow of matches and generating controversial decisions. Norway 's experience reflects these broader challenges, leading to the upcoming vote. Initial disgruntlement The Norwegian soccer federation brought in video technology in 2023, in a way some found controversial. That's because the decision was reached before Norway's member-run clubs could establish a unified position on whether they wanted VAR, leading to disgruntlement among some fans who felt the democratic process in the Norwegian game had been undermined. Disillusionment increased in the early months of VAR's adoption, with the technology taking seven minutes to decide on an offside call in one match. Fan protests and collective action Disillusionment about VAR quickly led to active protests about the use of the technology – and some were very quirky in their nature. A match between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm was suspended – and later abandoned and restaged behind closed doors – after fans threw fish cakes and then tennis balls onto the field soon after kickoff. In the second tier, fans of Lyn disrupted a game by throwing champagne corks onto the pitch in what was viewed as a protest against VAR. Amid such strident anti-VAR sentiment at certain clubs, the federation agreed to set up a working group to look further into the issue. And in a vote in January of the 32 clubs making up the top two leagues in Norway, 19 voted to scrap VAR and 13 to keep it. A recommendation was sent to the federation to support the clubs' majority decision and remove VAR "as soon as possible." The federation's response In a blow to anti-VAR campaigners, the Norwegian Football Association came out in favour of the technology a week later, with president Lise Klaveness saying the association acknowledged processes needed improving but wanted to retain video officials. "The governing body unanimously concluded that the best thing for Norwegian football is to maintain and develop it," Klaveness said. For Anders Kjellevold, chairman of the Norwegian supporters' alliance, it felt like a betrayal, saying most people thought the vote of the top clubs would be decisive. "If we end up with a decision where the FA decides not to listen to the affected clubs in this issue, then we are undermining club democracy and club democracy is a bulwark against many of the negative aspects of football," Kjellevold said. The vote The final decision on whether to scrap VAR will be taken at a vote at the federation's congress taking place over Saturday and Sunday. All clubs which are active members of the federation are allowed to vote, along with leaders of the federation's counties and members of the federation board. A majority decision is needed either way. Anti-VAR campaigners fear many clubs who vote will end up siding with the view of the federation, as is the tradition in major decisions in order to maintain good relations with the governing body. The vast majority of clubs which will be voting aren't affected by VAR because the technology is used only in the top division. Why are so many supporters unhappy? According to Kjellevold, anti-VAR sentiment lingers because the technology "is incompatible with the intention of the game of football." It ruins "the experience of football as a live spectator," he said, "because it brings up these stoppages in the game, it takes away some of the euphoria of a goal, which is just vital to a game and how we live it when we use so much of our time and effort to follow the game." Kjellevold is just as unhappy at how the whole process has been handled, chiefly how the teams most affected by VAR might not get their voices heard. The potential impact of the vote The result of the vote is significant on a wider level because Norway scrapping VAR might influence supporters in other countries to step up protests about the technology in an effort to remove it from their leagues. Premier League clubs voted in June to continue using VAR after being asked to consider scrapping the technology following controversies last season. Sweden is one of the few countries in Europe to have decided against introducing VAR to its league.
