Semi-automated offside technology will make its debut in English domestic football during the FA Cup fifth round.

0

The Football Association confirmed on Thursday that the system will be implemented in seven matches hosted at Premier League stadiums.

1

The FA added that “following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season”.

2

The Premier League is set to introduce advanced technology to minimize human subjectivity in offside decisions by automating key aspects of the review process.

3

Currently, when a goal is scored in a marginal offside situation, officials in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room must manually assess three critical factors: the exact moment the ball was played, the positioning and angle of the defender’s body, and the corresponding position of the attacking player.

4

With the new system, artificial intelligence will handle these decisions automatically, tracking ball and player movements in real time to determine whether an offside violation has occurred.

5

6

Specialized cameras have been installed under the roofs of all 20 Premier League stadiums to capture precise data on player positioning during close offside calls.

7

Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to implement this semi-automated offside technology for the 2024-25 season, initially targeting an October 2024 launch. However, the rollout was postponed to allow for additional testing and refinement.

8

The system follows UEFA’s lead, as European football’s governing body introduced a similar technology in the Champions League at the start of the 2022-23 season.

9

The FA said: “Semi-automated offside technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.

10

“The operation of semi-automated offside technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process.”

11

Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be utilized in all eight FA Cup fifth-round matches, including the game at Championship side Preston. During these matches, referees will make in-stadium VAR announcements.

12

The fifth round fixtures are slated for the weekend of Saturday, March 1.

13