It was initially expected that the new system would be operational a few months into the Premier League season, but it now seems likely that its installation will be delayed. This setback was brought to light during Thursday’s Premier League meeting, where an update on the implementation of the new offside technology was provided. The technology is currently being adopted in the refreshed Champions League and was also in operation during the 2022 World Cup. In a significant move last April, Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Everton, unanimously agreed to implement Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) for the current season. The ambition was to have the new system up and running during one of the international breaks this autumn, yet The Athletic reports that the introduction of SAOT will instead occur this winter. This advancement is expected to significantly reduce delays during matches.
The Premier League anticipates that SAOT will cut the average decision time by 30 seconds and plans to share these findings via graphics on stadium screens and during live television broadcasts. Despite the introduction of this new technology, VAR will continue to play a role in offside decisions. The Premier League has also indicated that VAR will still be used for “edge decisions,” especially in cases where the ball is obscured by players or when subjective judgments are needed regarding interference with play.
Howard Webb said “The biggest benefit of semi-automated offsides is around the efficiency of the process.”
This structure provides a clear separation of the context surrounding the new offside technology and the quotes from relevant stakeholders like Howard Webb.
