Julius OkorieSemi-automated offside technology (SAOT), is to be introduced on April 12 in the English Premier League, it has been revealed.
The technology has earlier been put the test in the FA Cup earlier this season. A statement from the Premier league said “The technology maintains the integrity of the process while enhancing the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decision-making”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNon-live testing has already been done in the league, as well as live operation in the FA Cup.
The semi-automated offside technology helps officials place the virtual offside line when analysing tight calls, with the help of player tracking. It also produces virtual graphics for viewers in the stadium and at home.
The Premier League had intended to introduce the technology into top-flight matches after the October or November international breaks this season but those plans were delayed.
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A statement from the Premier League further said: “Semi-automated offside technology automates key elements of the offside decision-making process to support the video assistant referee (VAR).
“It provides more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, using optical player tracking, and generates virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans.
“The Premier League has worked in collaboration with PGMOL and sports data and technology company Genius Sports to develop the new semi-automated offside technology system.”
Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) will use up to 30 tracking cameras operating at twice the frame-rate to usual devices used in broadcast – to help the on-field and video match officials make better an faster offside decisions.
The cameras are designed to provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line and produce subsequent virtual graphics to help supporters in the stadium and broadcasters.
The Premier League says that computer vision cameras, powered by Genius Sports, will be installed in every Premier League stadium. These cameras around the ground will track the ball, as well as thousands of data points for each player.
When a key moment occurs, such as a penalty, a goal or a red card, the technology will track those data points to see if any attacking player involved in the build-up was offside.
If a player receives a ball in an offside position, the technology will send an alert to the officials in the VAR hub, who will then check the point of contact with the ball and inform the on-field officials.
Graphics will be made available to broadcasters, as well as being shown to fans on big screens in the stadium.
The Premier League hopes that, on average, offside decisions will be made more than 30 seconds faster.
But it warns there could still be delays due to “occasions of occlusion of the ball” (it being hidden from the cameras among a group of players), “edge decisions,” or subjective decisions of whether an offside player was interfering with play. That would require intervention from the VAR and possibly the on-field referee in the latter instance.
Semi-automated offside technology is not new to football, a version of it was used during the 2022 World Cup but a planned autumn 2024 introduction to the Premier League never materialised.
There are however worry among soccer fans that these introductions could add to delays on the pitch and further reduces the fun associated with game.
Though the VAR since its introduction is said to be doing a good job, it has also been given knocks for wrong calls at times, and delaying instant celebration that comes with goal scoring and other exciting moments of the round leather game.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
