April 11, (THEWILL)- The English Premier League has announced a groundbreaking decision to implement semi-automated offside technology for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. The move, unanimously agreed upon by the clubs during a shareholders’ meeting on Thursday, aims to enhance the precision and efficiency of offside calls.
The new system, which has been previously utilised in major tournaments such as the 2022 World Cup and the UEFA Champions League, leverages a combination of advanced optical player tracking and high-quality broadcast graphics. This technology will provide quicker and more consistent placement of the virtual offside line, ultimately reducing the need for lengthy VAR reviews and minimising the potential for errors.
“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 league stated in their announcement. This implementation is expected to significantly improve the overall match experience for both in-stadium and broadcast audiences.
The League’s current VAR system has faced extensive criticism for the time taken to reach decisions, as well as the lack of transparency for fans in the stadium. The semi-automated offside technology aims to address these concerns, offering a more streamlined and accurate approach to offside calls.
The technology involves a network of cameras that track the ball and each player’s movement, providing the VAR officials with detailed data to validate the offside decisions. While the technology alone cannot definitively determine offside, it will greatly enhance the decision-making process, resulting in quicker and more consistent rulings.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
