For the first time, semi-automated offside technology will be utilized in English domestic football during the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday that this technology will be employed in the seven matches held at Premier League stadiums. The FA noted that after successful live trials in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League is considering implementing the system later in the current season.
The primary goal of this technology is to reduce human error in officiating by automating decisions that have traditionally relied on human judgment. Currently, when a player scores from a dubious offside position, officials in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room must confirm three crucial details: the moment the ball was played, the position and angle of the defender’s body at that instant, and the position and angle of the attacker’s body. With the new system, these three determinations will be handled automatically by the technology.
The process is overseen by artificial intelligence, which tracks the movement of the ball and players before concluding whether a player is onside or offside. Special cameras have been installed under the roofs of all 20 Premier League stadiums to capture various critical elements involved in tight offside calls.
In April, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to the use of this technology for the 2024-25 season, initially set to launch in October 2024. However, the rollout was postponed for additional testing. UEFA had already implemented semi-automated offside technology in the Champions League at the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
The FA stated that “semi-automated offside technology will enhance the precise placement of the virtual offside line through optical player tracking and generate virtual graphics to improve the in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans.” While the technology does not alter the accuracy of the decisions, it significantly improves the speed and efficiency of the decision-making process.
Additionally, VAR will be operational during all eight fifth-round ties of the FA Cup, including a match at Championship club Preston, where referees will make in-stadium VAR announcements. The fifth round is set to take place on the weekend of Saturday, March 1.
