The Premier League will use semi-automated offside technology starting in the upcoming season.
After a unanimous decision by the clubs, the Premier League will implement Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) in its games starting in the upcoming season. The Premier League, the top division in England, announced on Thursday that all 20 clubs had decided to use new technology going forward to determine offside calls.
The decision follows numerous complaints about VAR made thus far in the 2023–24 season, the most prominent of which was probably Luis Díaz’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur that was disallowed back in September. This season, the Reds have only lost twice, the first time coming at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when the Colombian goal was mistakenly declared offside due to a glaring VAR error.
After the game, audio that showed a breakdown in communication while evaluating the goal was made public. VAR official Darren England stated he had finished checking to see if Díaz was onside, but he overlooked referee Simon Hooper’s on-pitch call to flag the goal offside.
In a statement, PGMOL acknowledged that the decision against Díaz and Liverpool was the result of a “significant human error.”
Regarding the new Semi-Automated Offside Technology, which will be in place starting in the 2024–2025 season, the Premier League issued a statement.
“Clubs overwhelmingly approved the implementation of semi-automated offside technology at today’s Premier League Shareholders’ Meeting. The technology is expected to be ready to be introduced after one of the Autumn international breaks, and the new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League the following season.
“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.”
The application of SAOT is expected to save an average of thirty seconds per decision.
