Semi-Automated Offside Technology from 24/25

[Somniloquism]

If it stops some tosser from deciding which frame to use and then faffing about drawing a line on the screen, it's got to be a move forward.

In theory it doesn't as it is still using the frames available from the footage. The difference is it detects most of the extremities instantly and puts up the lines using 3d models, then the VAR person checks and changes manually if needed/ wanted.

[Footy-Vill]

If it stops some tosser from deciding which frame to use and then faffing about drawing a line on the screen, it's got to be a move forward.

Well yes (minus the bawdy language) spot on
And any ready admission by league that their officials are failing the game and there is a better system - i.e. tech that will do their job is their main concern

Still having to wait in the Premier League though for it to come in but good to see it tonight for Villa game in the cup

[SaddVillan]

Guaranteed that given half a chance PGMOL and their Stockley Park clownshow will screw up SAOT, and us with it.

[N'ZMAV]

Footballs referees across all leagues and countries that are on tv regardless of the technology are absolutley not upto a good enough standard

[CT Villan]

if it doesn't improve the "accuracy" how is it improving the "consistency"?  Surely the one is the same as the other here - it is either consistently accurate or it is not at the moment?   

It means that they will be able to avoid the occasional mistakes when Liverpool or ManUre are not given the benefit of the doubt.

[Footy-Vill]

I’m not convinced Watkins was offside the other day and i think this system would have had him onside and Rogers goal would have stood.

[Footy-Vill]

SAOT will be implemented at Premier League grounds after this international break.
So for last 9 matches finally here!

Wondered if planned to do this all along for the business end of the season and the big decisions in crucial matches.
And that majority of season they disregarded it so the officials could have their influence. Something is strange with the timing.

There will still be human input as the VAR still needs to confirm the decision and that the SAOT system has accurately identified the "kick-point" and the correct players with the correct part of the body – and the outcome of the SAOT.

VAR will also need to determine whether the referee needs to conduct an on-field review for "subjective" offside calls – such as cases where deliberate play by a defender needs to be considered, or where an attacking player doesn’t touch the ball but could be interfering with an opponent while in an offside position

[lovejoy]

I'm for this on the assumption that natural bias towards the bigger teams can be taken out.

[Somniloquism]

Wondered if planned to do this all along for the business end of the season and the big decisions in crucial matches.
And that majority of season they disregarded it so the officials could have their influence. Something is strange with the timing.

Or the extra cameras needed had to be tested at the grounds during different weather and lighting conditions with the system running in the background and being tweaked. And now they are ready to do live usage ready for next season proper.

[adrenachrome]

From Aston Villa Statto on X:

Semi-automated offside technology will be in place for the three FA Cup quarter-finals taking place at Premier League stadiums, as well as the semi-finals and final at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.

PNE vs #AVFC will be the only fixture not to use Semi-automated offside.

[Footy-Vill]

About 5 or so years ago Wenger was pushing for offside changes.

Wenger's "daylight" rule proposed that an attacker would be onside if any part of their body, from which they can score, is level with the last defender, meaning there must be a visible gap between the attacker and defender for an offside offense to occur.

So players will only be flagged offside where their entire body, is ahead of the last defender.

[dcdavecollett]

Oh, but how will we judge this if it's close?

I know! We'll draw some lines...

Twats!!

[Footy-Vill]

Now this is pure folly! The SAOT is talk of being delayed again in the Premier League!

Headline and article Guardian:
Premier League delays use of new offside technology after record VAR hold-up
Semi-automated offside technology failed in FA Cup
FA will continue to use it, including in Cup final

The Premier League has further delayed the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) after the record eight-minute video assistant referee check in the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Bournemouth and Wolves.

The technology, which was trialled for the first time in English football in seven of the eight fifth-round ties, failed at the Vitality Stadium owing to what sources described as a “congested penalty area”. This led to an unprecedented wait while the video assistant referee, Timothy Wood, made three checks before the Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez’s first-half goal was disallowed for offside.

Plans to introduce SAOT in the Premier League after the international break have been put back as a result. The FA has confirmed it will hold another trial in three of the FA Cup quarter-finals and continue to use it in the semi-finals and final. Preston have been drawn at home against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals and, as a Championship club, do not have the capacity to operate the system.

Premier League sources indicated they would like to implement SAOT this season, but that would need the support of the clubs. The earliest it could be introduced is the weekend of 5-6 April, although some clubs are questioning whether a significant change should be brought in with eight games remaining.

The clubs voted unanimously to introduce SAOT last April and it was scheduled to be brought in last October but in-stadium testing revealed problems with its accuracy that were not resolved until last month.

The Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, admitted to having “severe doubts” over the viability of SAOT last month and a number of concerns remain. Given the controversy surrounding VAR there is some reluctance at the league to invite more criticism.

It has been claimed that SAOT reduces the waiting time for decisions to 30 seconds because the lines are drawn automatically, so there was some embarrassment that one of the first trials should lead to the longest VAR check in English football.


The FA had warned before the trial that marginal offside decisions in crowded goalmouths could prove too tight for the new technology to detect. At Bournemouth, after the all-clear regarding a possible handball, an offside check began but SAOT did not work. As frustration mounted over the delay, home fans sang “It’s not football any more” and “This is embarrassing”, and Wolves supporters did not celebrate when the goal was disallowed.

The delay was more than two minutes longer than the previous record VAR check, which was five minutes and 37 seconds during a Premier League game between West Ham and Aston Villa last year.

[Footy-Vill]

I think it’s being deliberately sabotaged to prevent it coming in.
Have to baulk at this complete and utter failure of the officials operating things.

The tech is fine.

[Drummond]

You've no idea.