The Premier League is set to introduce semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This marks a significant step forward in officiating, aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of offside decisions.
The technology will debut during Manchester City’s home match against Crystal Palace, scheduled for an early kick-off at 12:30 BST. Other fixtures on the day include Arsenal hosting Brentford and West Ham United playing away at Liverpool on Sunday, April 13.
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SAOT has undergone extensive testing, including non-live trials in the Premier League and live usage during FA Cup matches earlier this year.
The system leverages optical player tracking and virtual graphics to automate key aspects of offside decision-making. It uses up to 30 cameras around each stadium to track player movements and ball positioning precisely. This setup is designed to reduce decision-making time by an average of 31 seconds compared to current VAR processes.
The Premier League collaborated with Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) and Genius Sports to develop this advanced technology. Unlike FIFA’s version, which incorporates a chip inside the ball, SAOT in the Premier League relies solely on optical tracking due to differences in ball suppliers.
Enhancing decision-making efficiency and viewers’ experience
The introduction of SAOT aims to address longstanding criticisms of VAR, particularly regarding delays and transparency during offside reviews. The system automates the placement of virtual offside lines and generates graphics visible to fans in stadiums and broadcast audiences. This ensures a more seamless experience while maintaining the integrity of refereeing decisions.
Premier League Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes expressed confidence in the technology earlier this year, stating it is “the most accurate system” without requiring additional hardware like ball chips. He acknowledged initial challenges during testing but emphasised recent progress that paved the way for its launch.
SAOT has been used successfully in high-profile competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, Champions League, Serie A, and La Liga. However, its implementation in England involves unique adjustments tailored to domestic requirements. The Premier League hopes this innovation will improve decision-making efficiency without introducing new controversies.