Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is set to be trialed in the FA Cup fifth round next month, potentially paving the way for its introduction in the Premier League before the end of the season. The new system, designed to speed up offside decisions in VAR reviews, has faced delays due to technical challenges but has recently shown significant improvement.
The upcoming trial presents an opportunity to test the refined technology in competitive matches, with seven of the eight FA Cup ties taking place at Premier League stadiums. The remaining match will be held at a Championship club ground. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of SAOT in real-time match conditions before its wider implementation.
SAOT was first introduced during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was initially scheduled for use in the Premier League last autumn. However, concerns about its accuracy arose during early stadium testing, leading to a delay. Over the past month, refinements have been made to enhance its precision and reliability, leading to renewed confidence among officials overseeing its rollout.
The system relies on advanced camera technology and tracking software to determine player positions at the exact moment of a potential offside. This removes the need for video assistant referees (VARs) to manually draw lines on still images, significantly reducing the time required to make a decision. It is anticipated that SAOT could cut the time spent on offside reviews by more than 30 seconds, helping to streamline VAR interventions.
Although the technology automates most of the process, VAR officials may still be required to review certain offside decisions, particularly in complex situations where additional context is needed to determine the validity of a goal.
Premier League clubs had previously voted unanimously in favor of introducing SAOT, but frustrations mounted due to delays in implementation. The upcoming trial is expected to provide clubs with a clearer indication of how effectively the system operates under match conditions. Club representatives will be informed of the trial at a shareholders’ meeting in London later this week.
Initial skepticism surrounding SAOT stemmed from inconsistencies observed during its early testing phase. However, recent advancements have led to increased confidence among football officials. The belief is that the improved system will deliver the highest level of accuracy currently available for offside decisions.
If the trial proves successful, SAOT could be introduced in the Premier League before the end of the season, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to enhance officiating through technology.
