Premier League fans must wait until 2025 for semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), according to Sky Sports.
Despite unanimous approval from all 20 clubs in April, the introduction of semi-automated offside technology has been pushed back to winter.
The Premier League wants to thoroughly test the technology before deploying the system. These experiments are designed to eliminate any glitches.
SAOT was meant to be in use between October and November but will now come into play in January.
Offside calls are a major bone of contention between Premier League clubs and officials.
SAOT is already in use in the Champions League and Serie A. It uses a network of cameras to track player movements and the ball at high speeds.
The technology promises faster and more accurate offside calls, potentially reducing decision times by 31 seconds.
The system eliminates the need for manual line drawing used in VAR, replacing it with a 3D offside line displayed on stadium screens.
Officials can make faster and more accurate decisions. This technology will also enhance transparency for fans by providing a clearer picture of the offside decision.
While VAR boasts a 96 percent accuracy rate compared to 82% before its introduction, the time taken for reviews remains a major criticism.
SAOT’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) addresses this concern by automating offside detection, significantly speeding up the process.
The Premier League’s commitment to getting this right is commendable. While fans must wait a bit longer, the promise of a more efficient sport is worth the delay.
