The FA Cup will for the first time see semi-automated offsides with the technology being used for the fifth round of the 2024-25 season.
The introduction of the technology in England had been continually delayed and will now finally be implemented.
A statement from the FA read: ‘Video Assistant Referees [VAR] will be active across all eight ties of this season’s Emirates FA Cup fifth round proper.
‘This will include in-stadium VAR announcements, where match officials will announce their final decision in relation to reviewed incidents to provide improved clarity and understanding for spectators and viewers.
The technology, which was used in the 2022 World Cup is regularly part of the Champions League and is said to enhance the speed and efficiency of the offside process. The technology will be extended to the Premier League later this season.
‘The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round, in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season.’
‘Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season.”
‘Semi-Automated Offside Technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.
The technology will only be available at the FA Cup ties being played at Premier League grounds, with Burnley’s clash against Preston the exception.
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How Does It Work?
Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) has been designed to provide a more efficient and accurate placing of the offside line, based on a picture generated by player tracking 30 cameras in the stadium.
Under the previous system, the VAR would need to manually place a ‘marker’ on the relevant defender and attacker to produce two ‘lines’ and determine the ‘kick-point’.
SAOT will automatically create those points reducing the time taken for a VAR check by around 30 seconds.
Once a decision is made and approved by the VAR, a computer-generated graphic will be shown to the broadcast audience and fans in the stadium.
The system is not fully automated as the VAR still needs to confirm the decision which calls for human intervention.
