The English Premier League is set to introduce semi-automated offside technology

Updated by Anastasios Gordon Sekandi at 23:03 EAT, Wednesday 02 April 2025.

The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) on Saturday, 12 April (Matchweek 32), following non-live testing in the Premier League and its live debut in the FA Cup earlier this season.

SAOT will streamline the process of determining offside calls by providing a more efficient way of placing the virtual offside line using optical player tracking. This will result in enhanced virtual graphics for both in-stadium and broadcast audiences.

While the technology does not alter the accuracy of decision-making, it improves the speed, efficiency, and consistency of the process. The Premier League has collaborated with PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and sports data and technology company Genius Sports to develop this new system, marking its first use in a live competition.

How the 30 cameras will view the match for SAOT. *Courtesy Image*.

What is Semi-Automated Offside Technology?

Semi-automated offside technology is a support tool designed to assist the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in making offside decisions. It will be used for close offside calls, either to confirm or suggest a change to the on-field referee’s decision, as is done with current VAR procedures.

Currently, VAR operators must manually determine the “kick point” of the ball and draw calibrated lines on the relevant defender and attacker, using multiple camera angles. Once the lines and kick point are established, the VAR makes an offside or onside call.

With semi-automated offside technology, the system will automatically suggest the “kick point” and generate offside lines for both the second-to-last defender and the relevant attacker, significantly reducing the time required to determine the decision.

Once the VAR reviews and approves the outcome generated by the technology, a decision visual will automatically be created and shared with both the stadium audience and the media. This will ensure a faster and more consistent offside decision process, improving the overall experience for supporters.