Premier League to Introduce Semi-automated Offside Technology for the First Time - Next Season

By: Rolan James

The English Premier League has confirmed that member clubs have unanimously agreed to introduce Semi-automated Offside Technology (SAOT) beginning next season (2024-2025) in a statement released on Thursday, April 3.

The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and it is
expected to cut the average length of a VAR check for offside by 31 seconds where a match ball with a chip inside provides an array of data.

The Semi-automated offside is already used in the Champions League and Serie A, while Football's global governing body FIFA first used it at the 2022 Men's World Cup in Qatar.

"At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology. 

The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks.

The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters", Premier League confirms in a statement".