The English Premier League (PL) on Thursday (April 11) made a significant decision as they will introduce the semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) from the 2024-25 season. The Premier League which already uses the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirmed the use of technology after meeting with top-flight teams, that unanimously agreed to it. The introduction of semi-automated offside technology is expected to cut the average length of a VAR check for offside by 30 seconds.

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Premier League confirms use of SAOT

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“The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters,” a league statement said.

The technology that was used in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will now make its debut in the Premier League next season. The Premier League held a meeting with the stakeholders and the club representatives on Thursday after which the decision was passed with unanimous votes. The technology is already in use in the Champions League and the Serie A but not in the same manner it was used in the Qatar World Cup.

What is the SAOT?

The system typically requires 12 cameras inside a stadium which track the ball and 29 data points on each player. Not all systems require a chip in the ball. Decisions could be made in seconds and on an average decisions are expected to be made 30 seconds quicker. During the decision 3D automated images will be shown on giant screens at stadiums. The current Hawk-Eye system used by VAR will be used as backup when semi-automated technology is not working, for instance when multiple bodies are obscuring the cameras.

The Premier League has already been under fire for a number of controversial decisions in the current season. While the new technology will be a boost for more accurate and timely decisions in the league, it will be interesting how it will be operated.

Earlier in the season, Liverpool were on the receiving end of a poor offside decision against Tottenham Hotspur where Luis Diaz was judged offside despite replays showing otherwise. The decision left everyone surprised as VAR too got the decision wrong. Considering only goal difference is separating Liverpool at the top of the league table, the decision already has a huge bearing on the outcome of the entire title race.

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