The much-anticipated semi-automated offside technology is set to debut in English football in the FA Cup next month, Afrosport reports.
The Football Association (FA) on Thursday announced that the semi-automated offside technology will be used for the first time in English football across seven matches in the FA Cup fifth round in Premier League stadiums.
This means only the all-Championship affair between Preston North End and Burnley at Deepdale Stadium will not make use of the technology.
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be active across all eight ties in the Fifth Round of the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup.
New Semi-Automated Offside Technology will also be used live for the first time in competitive English football matches.
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 13, 2025
The Premier League in April revealed that the semi-automated offside technology would be in use in the 2024-25 season, but it has since been met with problems in its testing phase.
“The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round… following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season,” the FA said in a statement.
“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 FA, meanwhile, added that video assistant referees (VAR) will be available in all eight matches in the FA Cup fifth round.
This will also come with in-stadium announcements, where officials will reveal their final decisions involving reviewed incidents to fans and viewers.
The FA Cup fifth round ties will take place on the weekend of Saturday, 1 March, with four all-Premier League encounters.
