Semi-Automated Offside Technology Set for FA Cup Trial Ahead of Premier League Introduction

Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) is set to make its debut in English football during the FA Cup fifth round next month, paving the way for a potential rollout in the Premier League before the season concludes.

The Football Association (FA) has confirmed plans to trial the technology in collaboration with the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). The initiative follows extensive testing, which had initially faced setbacks due to accuracy concerns. However, recent refinements have significantly improved its effectiveness, earning approval from key officials, including Howard Webb, chief of PGMOL, and Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer.

The decision to implement the trial during the FA Cup’s fifth round presents an ideal testing ground, with seven of the eight scheduled matches set to take place at Premier League stadiums. The only exception is the fixture at Championship side Preston North End. If the trial proves successful, the Premier League is expected to integrate SAOT into its matches later this season.

SAOT aims to streamline offside decisions by using tracking cameras and software to determine a player's position at the moment a pass is played. This eliminates the need for video assistant referees (VAR) to manually draw lines on still images, which has often caused delays and controversy. The Premier League estimates that the new system could cut down the time taken for offside decisions by over 30 seconds, enhancing the efficiency and fluidity of match officiating.

The introduction of SAOT has been a long-term objective for the Premier League. Initially intended to launch last autumn, its implementation was postponed due to inconsistencies observed during testing in stadiums. However, advancements over the past month have led officials to believe the system is now ready for competitive use.

Tony Scholes recently expressed his confidence in the updated technology, stating, “I had severe doubts given the difficulties we encountered earlier in the season, but the progress made in the last four to six weeks has been significant. We believe this is the best and most accurate system available.”

VAR will also be in operation across all FA Cup fifth-round ties, with match officials making in-stadium announcements to clarify decisions for spectators. Additionally, SAOT will generate virtual graphics for broadcast and stadium screens to improve transparency and understanding among fans.

Looking ahead, the Premier League is optimistic about SAOT’s long-term benefits. The league has installed computer vision cameras in all stadiums, provided by Genius Sports, to track both the ball and thousands of data points on players. When a critical moment occurs, such as a goal or a potential offside call, the system instantly processes the data and alerts the VAR team.

Despite the expected improvements in efficiency, the Premier League acknowledges that some delays may still occur in complex situations, such as when the ball is obscured or when an offside call involves subjective interpretations, such as interference with play. In such cases, human VAR officials will still be required to make the final judgment.

The FA Cup fifth round is scheduled for the weekend of March 1-2, with the fixture schedule to be confirmed. If successful, the Premier League could integrate SAOT into matches later this season, marking a significant step forward in officiating technology for English football.

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