Premier League To Introduce Semi-Automated Offside Technology Next Season

The Premier League has unanimously agreed to implement Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) starting from the next season.

This decision marks a significant step forward in the evolution of football technology and is set to revolutionize the way offside calls are made in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

“The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks,” the league announced in a statement following the shareholders’ meeting.

The introduction of SAOT comes after successful trials in prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

“Semi-automated offside technology is an evolution of the VAR systems that have been implemented across the world,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This technology is the culmination of three years of dedicated research and testing to provide the very best for the teams, players and fans who will be heading to Qatar later this year, and FIFA is proud of this work, as we look forward to the world seeing the benefits of semi-automated offside technology at the FIFA World Cup 2022,” he added.

One of the key features of SAOT is its ability to generate a virtual offside line rapidly and consistently, enhancing the overall match experience for both fans in the stadium and viewers at home. The high-quality broadcast graphics produced by the technology will ensure that offside calls are clear and transparent, reducing controversies and providing a more seamless viewing experience.

“The workflow of semi-automated offside technology and the connected ball technology has been successfully trialed at numerous test events and live at FIFA tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Arab Cup 2021 last year,” the league confirmed in its statement.