The Premier League will use semi-automated offside technology starting next season.
The Premier League will implement Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) in its fixtures next season, following a majority agreement by the clubs. In a statement issued on Thursday, England’s top division stated that all 20 Premier League clubs had agreed to use new technology to judge offside calls going ahead.
The judgment follows numerous complaints regarding VAR during the 2023/24 season, including Luis DÃaz’s disallowed goal against Tottenham Hotspur in September. The Reds have lost only two games this season, the first at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to a blatant VAR blunder that incorrectly called the Colombian goal offside.
Following the match, audio was released, which revealed a breakdown in communication while judging the goal. VAR official Darren England agreed DÃaz was onside, but did not observe referee Simon Hooper’s decision to write the goal off for offside.
PGMOL acknowledged a’significant human error’ in their ruling against Liverpool and DÃaz.
The Premier League has made a statement on the new Semi-Automated Offside Technology, which will be introduced beginning with the 2024/25 season.
“At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously decided to implement Semi-Automated Offside Technology. The new method will be utilized for the first time in the Premier League next season, and the technology is expected to be ready for use following one of the Autumn international breaks.
“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.”
It is predicted that SAOT will save an average of 30 seconds per decision.
