The Premier League is set to revolutionize the offside rule by implementing a new Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) starting next season.
During a recent meeting, Premier League shareholders reached a unanimous decision to adopt SAOT. This cutting-edge system is slated to debut in the league after an Autumn international break.
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The introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in 2019 initially promised improved offside adjudication. However, the technology’s reliance on still images for line-drawing has led to questionable accuracy in some rulings.
A notable example of VAR’s shortcomings was the controversial disallowance of a Luis Diaz goal in Liverpool’s match against Tottenham this season.
SAOT aims to address these issues by offering a faster, more reliable method for determining offside positions using optical tracking.
This will not only speed up decisions by approximately 30 seconds but also enhance the visual experience for fans both in the stadium and watching broadcasts.
With SAOT, assistant referees will receive immediate notifications via earpiece, allowing for prompt flagging, thereby eliminating the delays and confusion seen with current practices.
This new system promises to minimize human error in line-drawing and provide clearer decisions. It will utilize the same technology as UEFA’s Champions League, differing from FIFA’s ball-chip data system.
The Premier League is currently negotiating with various providers to supply the necessary technology for SAOT.
