The Premier League has confirmed the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) starting from April 12.
The system received FIFA’s green light after its debut at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Since then, it has been adopted by leagues such as La Liga and Serie A, as well as in the Champions League.
The aim of SAOT is to simplify the process for officials when making tight offside decisions by automating crucial steps. Theoretically, this should speed up decision-making, enhance the game’s flow, and reduce human error. English soccer saw the technology in action for the first time during the fifth round of this season’s FA Cup. The Premier League’s adoption of the technology was announced with a statement.
It read: “The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology on Saturday 12 April (Match Round 32). This follows non-live testing in the Premier League and live operation in the FA Cup this season. Semi-automated offside technology automates key elements of the offside decision-making process to support the video assistant referee (VAR).
“It provides more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, using optical player tracking, and generates virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans. The technology maintains the integrity of the process while enhancing the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decision-making.
“The Premier League has worked in collaboration with PGMOL and sports data and technology company Genius Sports to develop the new semi-automated offside technology system.”
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However, the technology has experienced its share of snags. Back in November, Barcelona was on the receiving end of an erroneous call during a match against Real Sociedad where a goal was disallowed; the technology mistook a defender’s boot for that of the onside Robert Lewandowski, and the VAR officials in La Liga missed the oversight.
Then there was the awkward seven-minute delay last month in the FA Cup, where a goal check left both Bournemouth and Wolves supporters chanting “this is embarrassing” – despite the new technology.
FA chief Mark Bullingham vocalised his support for semi-automated offsides in English football in 2023. “Of course, you used to have people complaining about the decisions and it is important to get decisions right and that’s a starting point, but in terms of technology the impression is: are there ways you can make decisions quicker?” Bullingham said.
“I think everyone hates that long pause in the stadium or at home. You are seeing technological innovations in terms of semi-autonomous offside and that could eventually go autonomous. That would mean very accurate decisions very, very quickly. I think that’s an area we absolutely need to keep exploring.”
