In the dying moments of a World Cup knockout match, Croatia's Josko Gvardiol thought he had snatched an equaliser against Portugal. But the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, and the decisive piece of evidence came not from a camera, but from a microchip inside the ball. The technology, dubbed 'Snicko' by fans for its resemblance to cricket's edge-detection system, is the latest tool in football's ongoing quest for perfect officiating.
The incident occurred in the 13th minute of stoppage time during the last-32 tie in Toronto, with Portugal leading 2-1. As the ball came into the box, Croatia's Igor Matanovic appeared to make slight contact before it fell to Gvardiol, who scored. After a VAR check, the goal was ruled out for offside, because Matanovic had touched the ball while in an offside position. Speaking after the match, Matanovic said: "Honestly, I think I felt a slight contact with my hair." He added that the referee told him: "They have a chip in the ball, that there was a slight contact and that, therefore, it was offside."
“Explaining the 'Snicko'-style sensor technology that disallowed Croatia's last-gasp equaliser against Portugal.”
The technology in question is called Connected Ball Technology, developed by adidas and housed inside the official match ball, the Trionda. It uses inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors that can detect any slight contact with the ball. When contact is registered, it is displayed to broadcast viewers as a 'heartbeat graphic', allowing officials to see exactly when and where the ball was touched. FIFA confirmed the decision on social media, writing: "According to the data provided by Connected Ball Technology... it was proven that contact was made by Croatia's #20 Igor Matanovic in the build up to the goal against Portugal."
The concept is not new to sports fans. Cricket has used 'Snicko' for years to detect faint edges off the bat by analysing sound waves. Football's version uses motion sensors rather than audio, but the principle is the same: to provide data that the human eye cannot reliably catch. The system was introduced for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has been refined for the 2026 tournament. It aims to eliminate doubt over offside calls where a player makes minimal contact — often with their head, shoulder, or even hair — that changes the path of the ball.
For UK readers, the technology raises questions about how VAR decisions are made in the Premier League and beyond. While the Premier League uses semi-automated offside technology, it does not yet employ sensor-equipped balls. The World Cup's use of Connected Ball Technology could accelerate its adoption in domestic competitions, particularly as clubs and fans demand greater accuracy. However, the technology is not without controversy. Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic criticised the refereeing in the match, though he did not directly challenge the ball-chip data, saying only: "It was very bad refereeing." Some argue that such fine margins — a brush of hair — go against the spirit of the game, while others welcome the precision.
Q: What is 'Snicko' in football, and how does it work?
In football, 'Snicko' refers to Connected Ball Technology that uses sensors inside the ball to detect contact. The IMU sensors register any touch, which is then shown as a heartbeat-like graphic on screen. It is similar to cricket's Snicko, which analyses sound, but football's version relies on motion data.
Q: Why was Croatia's goal ruled out against Portugal?
Croatia's Igor Matanovic made slight contact with the ball using his hair while in an offside position. The sensors inside the ball detected this contact, proving he had played the ball before Josko Gvardiol scored. Therefore, the goal was correctly disallowed for offside.
Q: Will this technology be used in the Premier League?
Currently, the Premier League does not use sensor-equipped balls. However, FIFA's adoption of Connected Ball Technology at the World Cup often leads to wider implementation. Discussions are ongoing, and it is likely that top leagues will consider introducing similar systems in the coming years to improve accuracy.
Portugal advanced to the last 16, where they will face reigning European champions Spain in Dallas. The technology, meanwhile, is expected to remain a talking point throughout the remainder of the World Cup. With more matches set for late-game drama, the chip inside the ball could again be called upon to settle the finest of margins.