The English Premier League (EPL) will be using a new Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) for the 2024-25 season.
According to a statement issued by the league, the use of the technology has been unanimously approved by all the participating clubs.
The Premier League said the plan is to introduce the system after one of the international breaks in September or October.
Recall that the world football governing body, FIFA, first used the technology at the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
It is expected that SAOT could reduce the length of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for offside by 31 seconds.
The Premier League said: “The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking.
“It will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters”.
The use of VAR for offside calls has been heavily criticized in the top flight, with a number of high-profile incidents making the headlines in recent seasons.
With the introduction of the SAOT, which reduced the time taken to make offside VAR decisions from 70 to 25 seconds at the 2021 Arab Cup and Club World Cup, the problems might soon be a thing of the past.
