The Premier League on Thursday confirmed that the semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), will be introduced into the league from the 2024-25 campaign.
Following a stakeholder’s meeting, the 20 clubs agreed to launch the technology next season, meaning the Premier League will make use of the SAOT before the end of the year.
However, the English top division revealed in a released statement that the technology will not be in use from the start of the season but it will rather be introduced “after one of the autumn international breaks”.
The statement read: “At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology.”
“The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks.
“The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.”
The SAOT, which is expected to reduce the time spent on a VAR offside check, eliminates the human element of having to deduce when the ball was initially hit as well as the use of lines to determine whether a player is offside or not.
The technology was first introduced in the 2022-23 season when UEFA brought it into the Champions League in the group stage. Although a slightly different system from UEFA’s, the SAOT was also used in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as a chip was placed inside all matchday balls.
Italy’s top-flight, Serie A, also makes use of the technology, which it implemented in 2023, when it became the first European domestic league to make use of the SAOT.
LaLiga had already announced it would introduce SAOT for the 2024-25 season, with the Premier League to follow shortly after.
