Premier League clubs have unanimously approved the use of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) for the 2024-25 season.
In a statement, Premier League said the plan is to introduce the system after one of the international breaks in September or October, after FIFA first used the technology at the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar.
Premier League said the state-of-the-art technology “will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking”.
It also added SAOT “will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters”.
It is anticipated SAOT could cut the length of a video assistant referee (VAR) check for offside by 31 seconds.
One aim is to introduce the technology next season for FA Cup ties hosted by Premier League clubs, and for the semi-finals and final at Wembley Stadium.
Decisions as to whether a player in an offside position is interfering with play, or whether a player is onside where a defensive player has touched the ball and the contact has been deemed deliberate, will still begin subjectively with the on-field referee.
