EPL to introduce semi-automated offside

The EPL has confirmed that it will introduce semi-automated VAR offside technology (SAOT) in the upcoming campaign – but it won’t be available for the 1^st matches of the new season.

Premier League clubs have unanimously approved the use of semi-automated offside technology for the 2024-25 season.

The English top fight will use the same cameras and software that UEFA uses in the men’s Champions League.

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— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 11, 2024

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SOAT eliminates the manual element of detecting when the ball has been kicked and placing the lines onto footballers and to pitch level, making it swifter and more accurate. The technology also provides better graphics, so it is perfect for a TV product rather than what it is doing right now – displaying lines on the broadcast camera.

That will limit the possibility of an offside not being checked as VAR referees are eliminated from making mistakes – everything is automated. The English 1^st tier division shared with the media that an average of 30 seconds will be saved on each VAR check with the semi-automated technology.

However, the new VAR tech is not expected to be ready for August, but it will be introduced later in the new season.