Premier League announce major change to VAR to be introduced for last seven games of the season
PREM chiefs will finally roll out semi-automated offside technology for the final seven rounds of top flight games, starting on April 12.
Club bosses approved the introduction of the new system last summer, with a planned launch in the autumn.
US-based Genius Sport devised the specialist cameras – up to 28 per match – which deploy the “mesh tracking” of 10,000 plus data points for each player.
But a series of issues and concerns about the accuracy of the system saw the launch date put back.
While it was used for the first time at seven of the eight FA Cup fifth round ties, an eight minute delay before Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez’ “goal” against Wolves was eventually ruled out brought a cautious response from Prem leaders.
All clubs had been warned that even with SAOT there will still be some situations – such as the one at Bournemouth – where crosshairs and lines will have to be used rather than simply taking the computer call and illustrating it with virtual animation.
But last weekend’s quarter final games in the Cup passed off without any concerns.
And Premier League bosses confirmed the decision, arguing: “The technology maintains the integrity of the VAR process while enhancing the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decision-making.”
Prem chief football officer Tony Scholes is convinced that SAOT will speed up decision-making on offsides, cutting 30 seconds-plus off the time taken.
Ongoing technical developments backed by Fifa should also see the swift end of assistants keeping their flags down on “tight” offsides, with automatic signalling if a player has broken the defensive line by more than a few inches.
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The first match to experience it will be Man City’s Etihad clash against Crystal Palace on April 12.
A full statement read: “The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology on Saturday 12 April (Match Round 32). This follows non-live testing in the Premier League and live operation in the FA Cup this season.
“Semi-automated offside technology automates key elements of the offside decision-making process to support the video assistant referee (VAR).
“It provides more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, using optical player tracking, and generates virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans.
“The technology maintains the integrity of the process while enhancing the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decision-making.
“The Premier League has worked in collaboration with PGMOL and sports data and technology company Genius Sports to develop the new semi-automated offside technology system.”