The Premier League is finally set to introduce semi-automated offside technology for competitions in the top flight, from 12 April.
After a long period of non-live testing, the decision will be made within the competition and its first use in English football during the FA Cup fifth round in February.
Semi-automated technology is designed that the decision-making process for tight offside calls simplifies, because it automates important aspects of the pronunciation and helps the video assistant referee (VAR) in the process.
According to the Premier League, it increases “the speed, efficiency and consistency of offside decision.”
Originally introduced on the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, the system has since been used in the Serie A, La Liga and the Champions League.
The home game of Manchester City against Crystal Palace will be the first Premier League match that contains the technology.
This system aims to reduce human subjectivity by replacing certain official decisions with automated technology.
As it looks now, Var -functionaries must assess three critical factors when a goal is scored: the exact moment that the ball was played, the positioning and the corner of the defender’s body at that time, and the same details for the attacking player.
Breaking: The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology on Saturday 12 April 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lxgrm0zkuo
– Sky Sports News (@SkySportsnews) April 1, 2025
All three of these provisions are automated with the new system.
Specialized cameras are installed under the roof of all 20 Premier League stadiums to follow several factors that are crucial for offside rules.
These cameras monitor the ball movement and catch 10,000 surface ‘mesh data points’ on each player, making accurate provisions possible whether an attacking player was the last defender when the ball was played.
Artificial intelligence supervises the entire process and analyzes the ball and players movement to determine offside positions.
VAR officials then assess the output of the system to confirm the accuracy before passing on the decision to the referees on the field, who inform the players.
In addition, a 3D -animated replay is generated by the AI shown on television broadcasts and stadium screens to offer a clear visual representation of the decision for fans.
