
Premier League to use semi-automated offside system from April 12
- FlashFootball 2025/04/02 07:35
- 0 0
The Premier League will finally introduce semi-automated offside technology for matches from April 12 after months of delays.
The system, which aims to cut the time taken for VAR offside decisions significantly, was used in the FA Cup fifth round and quarter-finals but was involved in a record eight-minute delay in the Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers match.
The biggest issue in testing, and one which occurred in the FA Cup, has been that it struggles when there are lots of bodies around the ball, but the Premier League is now satisfied that the technology is up to scratch.
The technology now uses extra cameras and artificial intelligence to decide whether a player is offside when the ball is kicked. Similar systems have been used by Fifa since the 2022 World Cup and Uefa in the Champions League for the past three seasons, but the Premier League agreed a deal with a different provider called Second Spectrum, an American software company which is part of Genius Sports.
The system uses “mesh” data that creates an invisible “force field” which, when it is pierced by part of an attacker’s body that can score a goal — ie not their arms or hands — triggers an offside message. An image is provided to the VAR, who will judge if the attacker is interfering with play or not.
A statement said: “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.”
Instead of limb-tracking which follows up to 36 points on the body, Second Spectrum’s Dragon system captures 10,000 “surface mesh data points” per player, over 200 times per second.
The semi-automated system will replace the Hawk-Eye system used at the moment, where lines are drawn manually on a screen by a VAR technician and which can lead to delays of two minutes or more.
This article mentions
Related News
Sandro Tonali reveals whether he REALLY meant his wondergoal from 'impossible' angle
59 minutes ago
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur: History you may be interested in
1 hour ago
Maresca confirms key players are ready to start tonight
1 hour ago
Diogo Jota‘s decisive goal gave Liverpool 12-point lead in Premier League
5 hours ago
Grealish ends 26-game Premier League goal drought as City defeats Leicester 2-0
6 hours ago
Premier League injury news:Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
22 hours ago
When will Erling Haaland return from injury for Man City?
23 hours ago
Wolves are almost safe to be out of relegation danger after defeating the Hammers
23 hours ago
Iraola admits Bournemouth's Kluivert a major doubt for Ipswich encounter
1 day ago
Preview: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team news, lineups
1 day ago
0comments
No comments available