An offside situation occurs for example when a player is between the ball and the goal of the opponent, while less than a specified number of players are between this player and the goal-line of the other party.

For football this number of players is specified at one player, namely the last opponent who for example is the goal-keeper. An attacker is in an offside position when he is in a position between the last but one opponent and the goal-line of the opponent Further more the attacker may, after the ball has been played towards him, pass the last but one opponent and consequently places himself in an offside position between the ball and the goal-line of the opponent, while only the goal-keeper of the opponents is between the attacker and the mentioned goal-line.

This situation is based on two actions with two critical moments of time: (i) the moment of time of departure of the ball towards the attacker and (ii) the moment of time that this player is in an offside position.

In an active offside situation the attacker who is in an offside position participates in the game because for example the ball is being played towards this attacker by a team-mate or because this attacker tries to position himself favourably in order to participate in the game or to open this or to fight an opponent. In a passive offside position the attacker who is in an offside position does not participate in the game.

When determing the two mentioned moments of time the responsibility mainly lies with the assistant referee (lines man) who is supposed to judge whether it concerns an active or a passive offside position.. The difficulty to determine offside is hidden in the fact that these two actions occur at different places, in addition to which the critical

moments they occur can be very close by. The assistant referee therefore must determine the moments of time of the two actions which may occur at a great distance from one another. Further more the assistant referee must observe all this mostly while running.

Since the importance of the decision for offside this must be taken as accurately as possible.

In the international patent application WO 01/02067 a receiver is being used which can be activated by the assistant referee when the attacker is in an offside position.

The referee activates a transmitter each time the ball is being played. This transmitter transmits subsequently a signal to the receiver which then gives a signal to the assistant referee. Normally for each team an assistant referee is being posted. Both assistant referees have a receiver that receives the signal the referee generates by means of his transmitter.

An analogue system is being described in the Russian patent RU 2,107,532 and the German model of use DE 296 00 428.

With these systems a short signal is being given to the assistant referee at the moment the ball is being played by an attacker in the direction of the goal-line of the opponents. This information helps in a great measure the assistant referee to decide for offside. The judgement of an offside position however still remains very difficult since the assistant referee can receive a great amount of non relevant signals ; for example, when the ball after a few sidelong and (or) backwards passes and a few feints finally is being played in the direction of the goal-line of the opponents. At each pass and at each feint the assistant referee receives a signal. Further more in the mean time the attacker who is in an offside position may have left this position and, after the ball really has been played in the direction of the goal-line, finds himself again in this offside position. A similar situation remains difficult to judge with the present offside- detection-systems.

These offside-detection-systems therefore show deficiencies for example, when the assistant referee receives a signal that is not relevant, when the ball is being

played back intentionally or not, or with a feint, when the ball is not being played but the transmitter is being activated anyhow.

Likewise it is important for the judgement of offside that the assistant referee knows to what team the player who plays the ball belongs. Only when a player who plays the ball belongs to the attacking team an offside situation can occur.

The invention wants to remedy these deficiencies and alleviate the task of the assistant referee by proposing a procedure and a system to judge in a simple and accurate way the moments of time of both actions, namely the playing of a ball by an attacking team -mate in the direction of the goal-line of the opponent, and the offside position of the attacker, and especially by giving him the appropriate information at the appropriate moment.

Herewith it is important that the assistant referee gets the security that because he is being informed previously an offside situation will occur, since he receives a signal (vibration), from the moment and for as long as a player is in an offside position, if the player wasn't being played by a team-mate. In consequence of this his attention and vision is being sharpened and he can judge with deliberation the difference between an active and a passive offside.

The offside-detection-system for ball-sports according to the invention includes for this purpose, a receiver and at least one transmitter whereby a first transmitter is provided with means to generate a ball-signal when a player plays the ball, whereby the receiver is provided with means to receive a position-signal that is being generated when a team-mate is in an offside position, whereby the receiver is provided with means to generate an offside-signal when the position-signal is received before the ball-signal.

In a profitable way the offside-detection-system includes according to a first design model of the invention, a second transmitter which is being provided with means to generate mentioned position-signal.

In a special profitable way, according to a second design model of the offside- detection-system according to the invention, mentioned receiver is provided with means to generate mentioned position-signal.

According to a special design model of the offside-detection-system according to the invention, mentioned means to generate mentioned position-signal are so practicable that they permit to generate an almost continuously position-signal from the moment of time when the team-mate is in an offside position until the situation no longer occurs, within which also passive offside falls.

Further more according to these special design models of the offside- detection-system, according to the invention, mentioned means to generate mentioned ball-signal are designed in such a way that they allow generating an almost continuously ball-signal from the moment of time when the player plays the ball until the ball is being touched by a team-mate.

Herewith mentioned means to generate mentioned offside-signal are, by preference, so provided that on the one hand they allow generating an almost continuously offside position-signal for as long as the position-signal lasts, and on the other hand they are so provided that they allow generating an almost continuously offside-signal from the end of the ball-signal when the position-signal starts during the ball-signal and this for as long as the position-signal lasts.

The invention also refers to an offside-detection-system, whereby mentioned means to generate mentioned position-signal are so provided that they allow generating a position-signal at the moment of time a player is in an offside position and generating an end-position-signal when this situation no longer occurs.

The invention further more refers to an offside-detection-system whereby mentioned means to generate mentioned ball-signal are so provided they allow generating a ball-signal at the moment of time a player plays the ball and generating an arrival-ball-signal at the moment of time the ball arrives at a team-mate.

Herewith the receiver is provided with means, on the one hand, to receive mentioned end-position-signal and mentioned arrival-ball-signal, and on the other hand to generate almost continuously mentioned offside-signal from the moment of time the position-signal is being received until the end-position-signal is being received.

Further more, preferably, if the position-signal is being received after the ball- signal and before the next arrival-ball-signal, an offside-signal is being generated after receiving this arrival-ball-signal until the end-position-signal is being received.

According to a preferable design model of the offside-detection-system, according to the invention, means are provided to convert the offside-signal into a perceptible vibration.

Means are also provided to convert the offside-signal in a light-signal, a green or red light, a text on a board, a sound-signal, a moving indication or a recording signal.

According to a further preferable design model of the offside-detection-system according to the invention, the means to generate the position-signal are provided with a push-button that is configurated as such that for as long as this push-button is being pushed the position-signal is being generated and the means to generate the ball-signal are being provided with a push-button that is configurated as such that for as long this push-button is being pushed in the ball-signal is being generated.

The invention also refers to a procedure for detecting offside in ball-sports whereby a ball-signal is being generated at the moment of time the ball is being played by a player, a position-signal is being generated at the moment of time a team-mate is in an offside position, and an offside position-signal is being generated if the position- signal is being generated before the ball-signal.

In a profitable way, according to the invention, a continuous ball-signal is being generated from the moment the ball is being played by a player until a team-mate touches the ball.

According to a special profitable method, according to the invention, a continuously position-signal is being generated from the moment a team-mate is in an offside position until this situation no longer occurs, and mentioned offside-signal is being generated continuously for as long as the position-signal is being generated.

According to an other method, according to the invention, an arrival-ball- signal is being generated at the moment of time a team-mate touches the ball and an

offside position-signal is being generated if the position-signal is being generated between the arrival-ball-signal and the next ball-signal.

Further more according to this other procedure an end-position-signal is being generated at the moment of time mentioned offside position does no longer occur, and mentioned offside-signal is continuously being generated until the end-position-signal is being generated.

The invention also refers to the position for the application of the procedure, according to the invention, whereby mentioned offside-detection-system is being used.

Herewith the means to generate mentioned position-signal are operated by an assistant referee and the means to generate mentioned ball-signal are operated by an official.

The offside-signal is perceptible for the assistant referee. This offside-signal may y be for example a vibration that can only be felt by this assistant referee, by which the last one can always take an independent decision. The apparatus is meant in this situation to be an expedient and not a control means, although the last thing is not excluded by the invention.

According to a further position two offside-detection-systems operating independently can be used, each operated by an assistant referee and an official. The transmitters, each have a different wave-length or code so that the receivers of both offside-detection-systems are so adjusted that they only receive the signal of the corresponding transmitter. Hereby each team has an offside-detection-system that is being operated by an assistant referee and an official. This position has the advantage that the referee is not burdened additionally with an extra task. The invention however does not exclude that the referee also takes over the task of the officials.

Fit for the purpose this, according to a specific design model of the invention, also refers to a series of sequences of signals in ball-sports, whereby this series includes three sequences of signals; a first sequence is being formed by ball-signals that are being generated when the ball finds itself between two team-mates. A second sequence consists of position-signals that are being generated when a player is in an offside position. The third sequence consists of continuous offside-signals. Hereby these offside-signals are being generated, on the one hand, from the beginning of the position-signal that starts between two following ball-signal, and on the other hand, the

end of the ball-signal when mentioned position-signal starts during this ball-signal and this for as long as the position-signal lasts.

Other particularities and advantages of this invention will become obvious in the following description of a few special design models of the invention and the following examples of game-situations in football. This description and examples are only given as an example and do not limited the import of the invention. In the following description the numbers of reference are related to the hereby added figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic presentation of an offside-detection-system according to a first design model of the invention with two transmitters and one receiver.

Figure 2 is a schematic presentation of an offside-detection-system according to a second design model of the invention with one transmitter and one receiver.

Figure 3 is a schematic presentation of the operation of an offside-detection- system according to a design model of the invention with two transmitters and a receiver.

Figure 4 is a schematic presentation of the operation of an offside-detection- system as presented in figure 3 whereby the ball-signal is being generated before the position-signal.

Figure 5 is a schematic presentation of the operation of an offside-detection- system as represented in figure 3 whereby the position-signal is being generated before the ball-signal.

Figure 6 is a schematic presentation, according to the invention, of the position during a football-game with two teams of players, one referee, two assistant referees and two officials.

Figure 7 is a schematic presentation of a series of sequences of ball-, position- and offside-signals that are being generated during a ball-game at defined game- situations.

Figure 8 is a schematic presentation of a series of sequences of ball-, position-, offside-, arrival-ball-and end-position-signals that are being generated during a ball-game at defined game-situations.

Figure 9 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby the attacker plays the ball before a team-mate is in an offside position.

Figure 10 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby an attacker is in an offside position after the ball had been played by a team- mate.

Figure 11 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby an attacker who is in an offside position receives the ball without the generating of an offside-signal.

Figure 12 is a schematic presentation of the signals that are being generated during an attack-game consisting of a succession of attack-phases as presented in the consecutive figures 9,10, and 11 Figure 13 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby an attacker is in an offside position before the ball is being played by a team- mate.

Figure 14 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby an attacker plays the ball when a team-mate is in an offside position during an offside-signal.

Figure 15 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby an attacker who is in an offside position receives the ball during the offside- signal.

Figure 16 is a schematic presentation of the signals that are being generated during an attack-phase consisting of a succession of attack-phases as presented in the consecutive figures 13,14 and 15.

Figure 17 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby the ball is being played to an attacking team-mate.

Figure 18 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby the attacker who is in an offside position receives the ball during the offside- signal after a short inter-pass.

Figure 19 is a schematic presentation of the signals that are being generated during an attack-phase consisting of a succession of attack-phases as presented in the consecutive figures 9,10,17 and 18.

Figure 20 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby the ball is being intercepted by an opponent and is being played at the goal- keeper of the opponent team.

Figure 21 is a schematic presentation of an attack-phase in a football-game whereby the ball is being intercepted from the opponent team.

Figure 22 is a schematic presentation of the signals that are being generated during a game of attacks consisting of a succession of attack-phases as presented in consecutive figures 9,10,20 and 21.

The invention refers to a system and a procedure for determing offside in ball- games, especially football.

A situation of offside in football may occur when an attacker is in an offside position, more specifically when this attacker is between the goal-line of the opponents and the opponents whereby, for example, only the goal-keeper of the opponents is between the goal-line and the mentioned attacker and whereby the ball is not between the attacker and the goal-line.

According to a procedure, according to the invention, a ball-signal is being generated when a player plays the ball, a position-signal is being generated when a team-mate is in an offside position, and an offside-signal is being generated when an offside situation may occur.

According to an other procedure, according to the invention, also an end- position-signal is being generated when the player, who is in an offside position, leaves this position, and an arrival-ball-signal is being generated when the ball played by the player is being touched by a team-mate.

According to a first preferential design model of the offside-detection-system according to the invention, as presented in figure 1, this includes a transmitter 1 provided with means 2 to generate a ball-signal 3, a transmitter 4 provided with means 5 to generate a position-signal 6 and a receiver 7 provided with means 10 to receive the ball-signal 3, means 11 to receive the position-signal 6 and means 8 to generate an offside-signal 9.

According to a second preferential design model of the offside-detection- system, according to the invention, as presented in figure 2, this includes a transmitterl provided with means 2 to generate a ball-signal 3 and a receiver 7 provided with means 5 to generate a position-signal 6. This receiver 7 includes means 10 to receive the ball-signal 3, means 11 to receive the position-signal 6 and means 8 to generate an offside-signal 9.

Preferably each of the means 2 and 5 includes a push-button that is designed as such that the ball-signal 3, respectively, generates the position-signal 6 for as long as the respective push-button is being pushed in. Preferably the means 8 include a vibrator 37 to convert the ignored offside-signal 9 into a vibration.

According to an other model of the offside-detection-system, according to the invention, which is not represented in the figures each of the means 2 and 5 includes a switch with two positions that is designed as such that in a first position the ball-signal 3, respectively, generates the position-signal 6, and in a second position the arrival- ball-signal 25, respectively generates the end-position-signal 26.

In the figures 3,4 and 5 a presentation is reflected of the operation of the offside-detection-system according to figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a situation whereby no signal 3 and no signal 6 are being generated by the transmitter 1, respectively, the transmitter 4. Consequently no offside-signal 9 is being generated by the receiver 7.

In the situation presented in figure 4 first a ball-signal 3 is being generated by the transmitter 1 and afterwards a position-signal 6 is being generated by the transmitter 4. The receiver 7 receives first the ball-signal 3. The off side-signal 9 is consequently not being generated by the receiver 7 when it receives the position-signal 6.

Figure 5 reflects a situation whereby first a position-signal 6 is being generated by the transmitter 4 and afterwards a ball-signal 3 is being generated by the transmitter 1. The receiver 7 receives first the position-signal 6 and generates by means of the means 8, that includes a vibrator 37, an offside-signal 9. The ball-signal 3 does not interfere further first generated offside-signal 9.

In a position, according to the invention, as presented in figure 6, whereby two teams A and B play against each other in a football-game, two offside-detection- systems are being used that operate independently: one for team A and one for team B.

The players of team A are presented in figure 6 by full circles 32. The players of team B are presented by empty circles 33. The referee is presented by a vertical shaded circle 34. With this position also two assistant referees 12 and 13, and two officials 14 and 15 are being positioned, each time one for team A and one for team B. The means 5 for generating the position-signal 6 for team A are being operated by the assistant referee 12 from team A who is at the same height of the player of team A, who is closest to the goal-line 16 of the opponents. The means 2 for generating the ball-signal 3 for the team A are being operated by the official 14 of team A.

The receiver 7 for team A receives the ball-signal 3 from team A when the player 17 of the team A plays the ball 18 until a team-mate of team A touches again the ball 18.

This receiver 7 for the team A also receives the position-signal 6 from the team A when a player 19 from team A is in an offside position. The receiver 7 for team A is so adjusted that it does not receive the ball-signal 3'or the position-signal 6'from team B The official 14 from team A fixes the moment of time when the ball has been touched on order to play a team-mate, by generating the ball-signal 3 for team A. He does this by pushing in the push-button of the means 2 that are provided to the receiver 1. The official 14 for team A keeps this push-button pushed in whereby the ball-signal is being transmitted by the transmitter 1 for as long as a team-mate from team A does not touch the ball. When touching the ball 18 by a team-mate from team A the ball- signal 3 is being interrupted because the official 14 no longer pushes in the push-button of the means 2. When the ball 18 is being played the ball-signal 3 is being transmitted again because the official 14 pushes in again the push-button of the means 2.

The assistant referee 12 from the team A fixes the moment of time when a player 19 is in an offside position by pushing in the push-button of the means 5 whereby the position-signal 6 for team A is being generated. For as long as the player 19 from team A is in the offside position the assistant referee 12 pushes the push-button and the position-signal 6 is being generated.

When using a first transmitter 1 for the generating of the ball-signal 3 and a second transmitter 4 for the generating of the position-signal 6 then each of them has a different wave-length or code. These wave-lengths or codes are also different of those of the transmitter for generating the ball-signal 3'and the position-signal 6'for the team B.

The position-signal 6 can also be generated directly because the means 5 are provided to the receiver 7.

The receiver 7 receives the ball-signal 3 and the position-signal 6 and processes only the first signal received 3 or 6.

When the first signal received by the receiver 7 is the position-signal 6, an offside-signal 9 is being generated for team A that is transferred into a perceptible signal as for

example a vibration for the assistant referee 12 from team A. This offside-signal 9 endures for as long as a player 19 of team A is in an offside position. The assistant referee 12 now must wait till the ball 18 goes in the direction of the player 19 of team A who is in an offside position. It may occur that first several players touch the ball.

The assistant referee 12 maintains his authority and decides himself whether it concerns an active or passive offside situation.

When the first signal received by the receiver 7 is the ball-signal 3, no offside signal 9 is being generated for team A, for as long as this ball-signal 3 is being received The assistant referee 12 from team A consequently does not receive an offside-signal 9 and the game can go on.

An analogue reasoning can be built for the offside-detection-system of team B.

In the figure 7 an example is being presented of a series of three sequences 21, 22 and 23 of continuous signals 3,6 and 9, according to a preferable design model of the invention, that are being generated during the game. In this figure 7 the line 24 represents the course of time. A sequence 21 of ball-signal 3 develops because, each time the ball 18 of a player is being played to a team-mate, a continuously ball-signal 3 is being generated. A sequence 22 of position-signals 6 develops because, each time a player 19 is in an offside position, a continuously position-signal 6 is being generated. A sequence 23 of offside signals 9 develops because, on the one hand, each time a position-signal 6 starts between two consecutive ball-signals 3, an offside-signal 9 is being generated for as long as the position-signal 6 lasts and, on the other hand, each time at the end of the ball-signal 3 when a position-signal 6 starts during this ball-signal 3, an offside-signal 9 is being generated for as long as the position-signal 6 lasts.

In the figure 8 an example is being represented of a series of five sequences 21,22,23,25 and 26 of signals 3,6,9,27 and 28, according to another design model of the invention that are being generated during the ball-game. In this figure 8 the line 24 represents the course of time. A sequence 21 of ball-signals 3 develops because, each time the ball 18 is being played by a player 17, a ball-signal 3 is being generated. A second sequence 22 of position-signals 6 develops because, each time a player 19 proceeds to an offside position a position-signal 6 is being generated. A sequence 27 of arrival-ball-signals 25 develops because, each time a team-mate touches the ball played

by a player 17, an arrival-ball-signal 25 is being generated. Mentioned ball-signals 3 and arrival ball-signals 25 are alternated, which means that a ball-signal 3 is always followed by an arrival-ball-signal 25 and vice versa. A sequence 28 of the end-position- signals 26 develops because, each time a player 19 who was is in an offside position leaves this position, an end-position-signal 26 is being generated. Mentioned position- signals 6 and end-position-signals 26 are also alternated, which means that a position- signal 6 is always followed by an end-position-signal 26 and vice versa. The ball- signals 3 and the arrival-ball-signals 25 however depend of the position-signals 6 and the end-position-signals 26. A sequence 23 of the offside-signals 9 develops because, each time an offside-signal 6 is being generated from, on the one hand, the moment of time that a position-signal 6 is being generated after an arrival-ball-signal 25 without the generating of a ball-signal 3 in between and, on the other hand, from the moment of time an arrival-ball-signal 25 is being generated after a position-signal 6 without the generating of an arrival-ball-signal 25 after a position-signal 6 without the generating of another signal in between, until an end-position-signal 26 is being generated.

A first example of a series of consecutive game-phases in a football-game is being presented schematically in the figures 9,10 and 11. The official 14 operates a transmitter 1 provided with means 2 for generating the ball-signal 3. The assistant referee 12 operates a transmitter 4 provided with means 5 for the generating of the position-signal 6. The assistant referee 12 possesses further more the receiver 7 that receives the ball-signal 3 and the position-signal 6 and that generates the offside-signal 9.

The signals that are being generated by these game-situations are schematically represented in figure 12.

At the moment of time Tl the ball 18 is being played by an attacker 17 from team A in the direction of the goal-line 16 of the opponent team B, as presented in figure 9. The ball-signal 3 is being generated by the transmitter 1 of the official 14 because he pushes in the push-button of the means 2 of the transmitter 1. The ball- signal 3 is continuously being generated for as long as the push-button of the means 2 remains pushed in.

This means that for as long as the ball 18 is not being touched by a team-mate of team A the ball-signal 3 is being generated.

At the moment of time T2 a team-mate 19 from team A moves to a position between the last defender 29 from team B and the goal-keeper 30 from team B, as presented in figure 10. A position-signal 6 is being generated because the assistant referee 12 pushes in the push-button of the means 5 form the transmitter 4.

The position-signal 6 is continuously being generated for as long as the push-button of the means 5 is being pushed, in other words for as long a team-mate 19 from team A is in an offside position.

The receiver 7 receives at the moment of time Tl the ball-signal 3 and keeps receiving this for is long as it is transmitted by the transmitter 1. At a later moment of time T2 the position-signal 6 is also being received. The ball-signal 3 is still being received at the moment T2. Consequently no offside-signal 9 is being generated and the assistant refereel2 can decide accurately that no offside occurred when the ball 18 is being played in the direction of a team-mate of team A who is in an offside position.

At the moment of time T3 the ball arrives with the team-mate 19 of team A as presented in figure 11.

A second example of a series of consecutive game-phases in a football-game is schematically being presented in the figures 13,14 and 15. As in the first example the official operates the transmitter 1 and the assistant referee 12 the transmitter 4, and the assistant referee 12 has the receiver 7. The signals that are being generated are schematically presented in figure 16.

At the moment of time T4, a team-mate 19 of team A moves to a position between the last defender 29 of team B and the goal-keeper 30 of team B as presented in figure 13. A position-signal 6 is being generated because the assistant referee 12 pushes in the push-button of the means 5 of the transmitter 4. The position-signal 6 is continuously being generated for as long as this push-button of the means 5 is being pushed in. This continues for as long a team-mate 19 of team A is in an offside- position.

The receiver 7 receives at this moment of time T4 no ball-signal 3 and generates the offside-signal 9. This last signal 9 is perceptible for the assistant referee 12 in the form of a vibration, because the means 8 which are provided to the receiver 7 include a vibrator 37. The offside-signal 9 gives the assistant referee an indication, that the offside-situation may occur for as long as he observes this offside-signal 9.

At a later moment of time T5 the ball 18 is being played by an attacker 17 of team A towards the goal-line 16, as presented in figure 14. The ball-signal 3 is being generated by the transmitter 1 from the official 14 because he pushes the push-button of the means 2 of the transmitter 1. The ball-signal 3 is continuously being generated for as long as the push button of the means 2 is being pushed in.

In other words for as long as the ball 18 is not touched by a team-mate of team A.

The position-signal 6 is still being received at the moment of time T5.

Consequently the offside-signal 9 is still being generated and the assistant referee 12 can decide that offside had occurred if the ball 18 is being played towards a team-mate 19 of team A, who is in an offside-position, as presented in figure 15.

A third example of a series of consecutive game-phases in a football-game with a short inter-pass, is schematically presented in the figures 9,10,17 and 18. As in the first example the official 14 operates the transmitter 1 and the assistant referee 12 the transmitter 4, and the assistant referee 12 has the receiver 7. The signals that are being generated are schematically presented in figure 19.

At the moment of time T1 a ball-signal 3 is being generated by the official 14 when an attacker 17 plays the ball 18, as presented in figure 9. At a later moment of time T2 a position-signal 6 is being generated by the assistant referee 12 when a team- mate 19 is in an offside-position, as presented in figure 10. At the moment of time T7 the ball 18 arrives at another team-mate 31 and the official 14 stops generating the ball- signal 3, as presented in figure 17. The position-signal 6 is still being generated by the assistant referee 12 since the player 19 is still in an offside-position. Consequently from the moment of time T7 the offside-position-signal 9 is being generated that is perceptible for the assistant referee 12. At the moment T8 the player 31 plays the ball 18 in the direction of the player 19 who still remains in an offside-position, as presented in figure 18. The official 14 generates the following ball-signal 3. The

assistant referee 12 sees that the ball 18 goes in the direction of the player 19 and decides that it concerns an active offside-situation, since he still observes the offside- signal 9.

A fourth example of a series of consecutive game-phases in a football-game with a ball played back by the opponent team B, is schematically presented in the figures 9,10,20 and 21. As in the first example the official 14 operates the transmitter 1 and the assistant referee 12 the transmitter 4, and the assistant referee 12 has the receiver 7. The signals that are being generated are schematically presented in the figure 22.

At the moment of time T1 a ball-signal 3 is being generated by the official 14 when an attacker 17 kicks the ball 18, as presented in figure 9. At a later moment of time T2 a position-signal is being generated by the assistant referee 12 when a team- mate 19 is in an offside-position, as presented in figure 10. The offside-signal 9 in not being generated. This ball 18 is however being intercepted by an opponent 32 who plays the ball to the goal-keeper 30 at the moment of time T10, as presented in figure 20. The ball-signal 3 remains generated for as long as the team-mate touches the ball 18 . The position-signal 6 is being generated until the moment Tl l when the ball 18 passes the player 19. The goal-keeper 30 brings the ball 18 back into the game and at the moment of time T 12 the ball is being intercepted by the team-mate 19, as presented in figure 21. The official 14 now stops generating the ball-signal 3. The offside-signal 9 is not being generated and a valid goal can be made.

An analogue reasoning can be made when a throw-in and a corner for the attacking team and a goal-kick of the defensive team.

With an alternative of these four examples of consecutive game-phases in a football-game the assistant referee 12 operates the receiver 7 that is provided means 5 to generate the position-signal 6. This position-signal 6 is being generated by pushing in the push-button of the means 5. The offside-signal 9 that is being generated by the means 8 of the receiver 7 is perceptible for the assistant referee 12 in the form of a vibration because the means 8 include a vibrator 37 at the same level as the push- button of the means 5.

Of course the invention is not limited to the as afore described procedure and the structure as presented in annexed figures.

For instance the receiver 7 can be provided with a transmitter to transfer the offside-signal 9 towards a second receiver that in its turn generates a perceptible signal for the assistant referee 12 or another person. Eventually these second transmitter can register the generated signals.

For instance instead of generating a continuous ball-signal 3 from the moment a player 17 kicks the ball until a team-mate touches the ball 18, a continuous signal can be generated for as long as a player is in possession of the ball 18 until he kicks the ball.

The ball-signal 3 can consequently be reversed provided the adjustments of the receiver 7 for the generating of the offside-signal 9 are being adapted. The same thing goes for the position-signal 6.

In this way the different signals 3,6,9 and/or 25 and 26 can be generated automatically if the position of each player and of the ball 18 is determined during the game by means of for instance cameras and a computer.

Hereby can be determined also the direction and movement of the players and the ball 18, which makes it possible to judge automatically an offside-position. So, for instance, a judgement to an active offside-situation must follow from the fact that, at the moment an offside-signal 9 is being generated, the ball 18 goes into the direction of the player 19, who is in an offside position.