How Semi-Automated Offside Technology Will Revolutionize the Premier League: A Pre-Debut Explainer

Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is set to make its first appearance in the Premier League this weekend.

Here is a more detailed examination of the system.

What is the context behind this?

precisely one year back on the same day of the week, Top-tier teams agreed unanimously to implement semi-automated offside technology. The plan was to launch it after one of the three international windows during the previous autumn; however, these deadlines passed since the Premier League continued with additional tests.

The system ultimately debuted in the FA Cup fifth round. , with the draw between Aston Villa and Cardiff on February 28 being the first to utilize it.

The technology was also utilized in three out of the four quarter-final matches, prior to the Premier League announcing on April 1 that it would be implemented starting April 12.

What is the reason for its introduction?

The Premier League states that the new system won’t affect the precision of decision-making, which has remained at 100 percent this season. Nevertheless, it aims to expedite proceedings—league officials expect it to reduce the duration of an average offside review by 31 seconds.

VARs will no longer have to manually outline offside positions, unless in 'borderline situations' when multiple players obstruct the view of the ball or each other from the perspective of the system’s cameras. This issue led to the lags observed during the match between Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup on March 1st, where SAOT technology was being utilized.

The visuals produced by SAOT will be accessible for broadcasters to utilize and display on large stadium screens.

An offside call will be indicated using a red line, whereas an onside position will be marked with a green line. The offside line will be depicted as a white vertical barrier, accompanied by a blue “pulse” effect on the corresponding body part of the defending player.

If an attacker is offside, their offside body part will show up behind the white line and be highlighted in red.

What is the functioning principle of this technology?

Each Premier League venue has seen the installation of up to 30 cameras, some capable of recording at an impressive rate of 100 frames per second. These camera systems monitor both the precise movements of the ball and capture over 10,000 individual data points related to each player’s position—enabling the system to determine whether attackers were positioned correctly for offside calls during playbuild-ups.

These are subsequently highlighted automatically within the software for the VAR and SAOT operator.

What makes it only semi-automated?

VARs must still confirm that the technology accurately identifies the precise instant when the ball was kicked (the "kick point"), as well as the correct player and specific body part involved.

VARs and officials will continue to be responsible for making judgment calls regarding offside incidents, including determining if a player in an offside position was affecting gameplay or if a defender’s contact with the ball was intentional.

Does this imply that we'll witness an increase in 'toenail' offside calls?

The Premier League maintains that the five-centimeter 'allowance' established due to the usage of wider lines continues to be enforced, just as it was from the beginning of the 2021-22 season.

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