<p>Coventry’s eventual loss on penalties against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> in the FA Cup semifinals was nearly one of the greatest stories in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup</a> history. A monumental comeback after trailing 3-0 in the second half led to Coventry scoring a stoppage-time winner in extra time. However, Haji Wright was <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1782095718989107218" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marginally offside</a> in the buildup to Victor Torp’s goal, and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> side eventually won on penalties.</p>



<p>Immediately, the debate turned to the <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39960844/the-var-review-nottingham-forest-anger-penalty-decisions-grealish-handball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature of the offside decision</a> against Wright. Not only did the VAR review require extended time to make a pivotal decision. The length Wright was offside was no more than a few inches. Even with semi-automated offside decision-making coming to the Premier League in the 2024/25 season, this kind of decision will still plague soccer.</p>



<p>This is not to say semi-automated offside is bad. It is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-offside-technology-will-be-huge-improvement/">a welcome addition to the Premier League</a> because it removes the monotonous and anticlimactic offside reviews VAR mandates. By all accounts, it follows the rule. Haji Wright’s position would be offside, there would just not be a delay. Semi-automated offside may even make these decisions <em>more</em> marginal. Tracking meaningful parts of players, whether that be heads, shoulders, knees or toes, will mean the slimmest of margins will be under the microscope.</p>



<p>The fact of the matter is that the offside rule forces these decisions. Changing the rule will help defend against these close calls, even when they have effectively no impact on the play. Was Haji Wright’s position in extra time always going to affect the play? Maybe, but it is not as if Wright was racing in behind the defense. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was backtracking, and he eventually caught up in the play. </p>



<h2>Semi-automated offside decisions, or a change of the rule entire?</h2>



<p>Sunday saw a great FA Cup moment ruined by a narrow decision. As stated, the call was the correct one. Wright was offside upon a VAR review, and the referees took the goal away. That is why allowing a cushion, or a margin for error for video assistant referees, can help make this process better.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240422_WST_502719_Coventry-winner-United-1200x670_fc2e3256.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-502720" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Coventry-winner-United-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Coventry-winner-United-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Coventry-winner-United-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Coventry-winner-United.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The minuscule lines of often-pixelated decisions need to incorporate leeway. When a decision is this tight, it is a challenge to identify several variables. For one, when is the ball played? The freeze frames VAR uses depend on a split-second moment when an attacker plays a ball. That could be one frame when it looks like the ball is being hit, or it could be the frame after that in the VAR review when the ball starts moving. As seen with the Coventry City goal, those make a difference. In one frame, Wright was onside. In the next, he was offside. </p>



<p>Punishing Coventry for the determination that the ball was ‘played’ at a certain millisecond as opposed to another is incredibly harsh. It is one thing to get the call correct, but doing so at the expense of a scientific examination into when a ball moves and when a player runs is impossible. </p>



<p>The Wenger Rule for offside has been a hot topic following the FA Cup semifinals. The former Arsenal manager advocates for the full body of a player being offside rather than just a piece of him. In theory, this would produce more goals. However, the same issues would arise as attackers looking to run in behind the defense would time up their toes to be in line with defenders at the time a ball is played. Therefore, it is not the perfect solution.</p>



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<h2>Priority should go to the forwards</h2>



<p>The purpose of the Wenger Rule is to give the benefit of the doubt to forwards. There is an argument there. Fans want to see more goals. Manchester City’s scoreless draw with Arsenal a few weeks back may have had <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/man-city-arsenal-sets-premier-league-viewership-record-in-us/">millions of viewers in the United States</a>, but they were all left disappointed by the lack of scoring. By contrast, the 3-3 game that required penalties had fans on the edge of their seats.</p>



<p>Modifying the offside rule to give attackers the edge may sting some fans. It will help more goals throughout soccer. Semi-automated offside decisions will continue to benefit the lackluster offside decisions that turn neutrals away.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="😱 ABSOLUTE THRILLER 🚨 Coventry City vs. Manchester United | FA Cup Highlights | ESPN FC" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixi-Y__COzU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Semi-automated offside won't stop marginal offside decisions

Would semi-automated offside decisions benefit soccer and the Premier League? By rule, no. That is why other changes are necessary.

destacadas

<p>Semi-automated offside technology is finally coming to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>. On Thursday, the English top flight announced that its clubs collectively voted to implement the technology for the 2024/25 season. All 20 of the Premier League teams voted in favor of making the switch.</p>



<p>Although the technology will soon enter Premier League matches, it will not be available at the start of the next campaign. League officials claimed that semi-automated offside technology is making its debut following an international break in the fall. The 2024/25 season, however, will begin in August.</p>



<p>“At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of semi-automated offside technology,” the Premier League said in a <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/news/3962262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>.</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



<h2>Premier League clubs previously blocked technology for the 2023/24 season</h2>



<p>Semi-automated offside technology quickly tracks players on the pitch to determine whether or not they have strayed offside. After a questionable play, VAR officials are signaled by the technology to stop the match while a check occurs. While traditional VAR reviews can take a few minutes to hopefully get a correct call, this semi-automated technology is significantly faster and more accurate.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240411_WST_500585_Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-1200x670_9c7b65f2.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-500601" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The technology has featured in UEFA competitions such as the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> since the start of the 2022/23 season. It was also in place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Italy’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> uses the fast-checking offside technology as well.</p>



<p>Premier League clubs <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-says-no-to-semi-automated-offside-technology-20230609-WST-436866.html">previously rejected</a> the chance to implement semi-automated offside technology ahead of the current campaign. English teams wanted to limit the use of technology in their matches. They have since drastically changed their minds as Premier League officials continue to make massive mistakes in matches.</p>



<h2>Semi-automated offside in the Premier League helps referees and satisfies fans</h2>



<p>English referees are seemingly under constant pressure from coaches, players and fans for poor decisions. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>‘s wrongly <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/liverpool-exploring-options-after-var-disallowed-goal-blunder-20231002-WST-459667.html">disallowed goal</a> against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> in September was undoubtedly the biggest officiating blemish of the season. However, there have been various other blunders throughout the campaign as well.</p>



<p>As a result, the Premier League charged multiple top-flight coaches with bad behavior toward referees. Implementing semi-automated offside technology will not completely fix poor officiating or end protests from managers. However, it will surely help referees make offside calls with more precision.</p>



<p>Not only does the technology accurately determine offside in a game, but the speed of the decisions will also appease fans. Many soccer viewers believe traditional VAR reviews kill the atmosphere inside the actual stadiums. Semi-offside technology takes just a fraction of the time as full VAR reviews.</p>



<p>The Premier League’s decision to implement the technology is certainly a step in the right direction. After all, the division is the top soccer league in the world. Continuous bad referring in the English top flight is unacceptable for such a prestigious division. </p>



<p>Nevertheless, not including the technology from the start of the 2024/25 season may create issues. Clubs could feel slighted by a poor offside decision by VAR early in the campaign, only for other calls later in the campaign to be correct. For example, the Liverpool decision at Spurs came early in the campaign. The implementation of semi-automated offside in the Premier League is likely coming after September 2024, so we could have a similar debacle next campaign. </p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Premier League offside technology will be huge improvement

The Premier League announced on Thursday that their clubs voted to implement semi-automated offside technology for the 2024/25 season.

<p>Semi-automated offside technology is finally coming to the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>. On Thursday, the English top flight announced that its clubs collectively voted to implement the technology for the 2024/25 season. All 20 of the Premier League teams voted in favor of making the switch.</p>



<p>Although the technology will soon enter Premier League matches, it will not be available at the start of the next campaign. League officials claimed that semi-automated offside technology is making its debut following an international break in the fall. The 2024/25 season, however, will begin in August.</p>



<p>“At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of semi-automated offside technology,” the Premier League said in a <a href="https:\/\/www.premierleague.com/news/3962262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>.</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



<h2>Premier League clubs previously blocked technology for the 2023/24 season</h2>



<p>Semi-automated offside technology quickly tracks players on the pitch to determine whether or not they have strayed offside. After a questionable play, VAR officials are signaled by the technology to stop the match while a check occurs. While traditional VAR reviews can take a few minutes to hopefully get a correct call, this semi-automated technology is significantly faster and more accurate.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240411_WST_500585_Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-1200x670_d04f32a3.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-500601" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Premier-League-semi-automated-offside-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The technology has featured in UEFA competitions such as the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> since the start of the 2022/23 season. It was also in place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Italy’s <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> uses the fast-checking offside technology as well.</p>



<p>Premier League clubs <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-says-no-to-semi-automated-offside-technology-20230609-WST-436866.html">previously rejected</a> the chance to implement semi-automated offside technology ahead of the current campaign. English teams wanted to limit the use of technology in their matches. They have since drastically changed their minds as Premier League officials continue to make massive mistakes in matches.</p>



<h2>Semi-automated offside in the Premier League helps referees and satisfies fans</h2>



<p>English referees are seemingly under constant pressure from coaches, players and fans for poor decisions. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>‘s wrongly <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/liverpool-exploring-options-after-var-disallowed-goal-blunder-20231002-WST-459667.html">disallowed goal</a> against <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> in September was undoubtedly the biggest officiating blemish of the season. However, there have been various other blunders throughout the campaign as well.</p>



<p>As a result, the Premier League charged multiple top-flight coaches with bad behavior toward referees. Implementing semi-automated offside technology will not completely fix poor officiating or end protests from managers. However, it will surely help referees make offside calls with more precision.</p>



<p>Not only does the technology accurately determine offside in a game, but the speed of the decisions will also appease fans. Many soccer viewers believe traditional VAR reviews kill the atmosphere inside the actual stadiums. Semi-offside technology takes just a fraction of the time as full VAR reviews.</p>



<p>The Premier League’s decision to implement the technology is certainly a step in the right direction. After all, the division is the top soccer league in the world. Continuous bad referring in the English top flight is unacceptable for such a prestigious division. </p>



<p>Nevertheless, not including the technology from the start of the 2024/25 season may create issues. Clubs could feel slighted by a poor offside decision by VAR early in the campaign, only for other calls later in the campaign to be correct. For example, the Liverpool decision at Spurs came early in the campaign. The implementation of semi-automated offside in the Premier League is likely coming after September 2024, so we could have a similar debacle next campaign. </p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>


<p>Potential welcomed changes to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> may be on the way. A massive chunk of fans, coaches, and players have criticized both the use of VAR and the officials involved in the technology in recent months. </p>



<p>VAR has rarely been popular in the English top division since its introduction in 2019. Nevertheless, a string of recent controversies has made many call for wholesale changes to the rules.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> manager Mikel Arteta came under fire for blasting VAR and the overall state of refereeing in England after his team’s recent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newcastle-tops-arsenal-as-var-once-again-center-of-debate-20231104-WST-467354.html">1-0 defeat</a> to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a>. On the flip side, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> head coach Ange Postecoglou took praise for not having a go at officials in his postgame interview following a defeat earlier this week. </p>



<p>However, many pointed out that Postecoglou was, in fact, booked during the game for complaining to the referee. The decisions against Spurs on the day were also not exactly extremely controversial either.</p>



<h2>West Ham manager says coaches keep quiet to avoid fines, bans</h2>



<p>Many Premier League coaches appear frightened to make similar comments as Arteta due to the risk of a fine or suspension. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/west-ham-tv-schedule/">West Ham</a> manager David Moyes touched on this topic during a press conference on Friday. “We don’t want to [publicly complain] because managers will be fined for speaking out of turn,” <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/11/10/var-changes-ifab-semi-automated-offside-premier-league/">stated</a> Moyes.</p>



<p>“Most managers don’t want to say anything about it because we know we’re locked down. If clubs or managers choose to have an outburst then that’s their choice and they can choose to do that.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231111_WST_469352_refs-1200x670.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-469385" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/refs-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/refs-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/refs-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/refs.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>A lot of managers and fans feel that the officiating has been consistently incompetent in 2023/24</figcaption></figure>



<p>The veteran coach also claimed that complaining doesn’t really go anywhere with the league’s brass. “We feel that we’re not getting an awful lot back when we’re giving it back to the officials or whoever,” continued Moyes.</p>



<p>“There have been a couple of big incidents that have been highlighted, but it’s mainly at the top clubs. It’s as if people don’t think that some other clubs have the same problems. The same VAR problems, the same decision-making. It doesn’t get the same highlight. We’re all pretty disappointed by what we’ve been getting back.”</p>



<h2>Premier League managers likely to approve new offside system for 2024/25 season</h2>



<p>Nevertheless, it seems as if changes may be coming to the Premier League. According to a report by <em><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/11/10/var-changes-ifab-semi-automated-offside-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Telegraph</a></em>, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has already begun discussing ways to improve VAR. IFAB is a group that helps determine official laws in the sport of soccer. The organization will apparently discuss new possible tweaks to VAR at their annual meeting in March.</p>



<p>While potential changes won’t occur during the current campaign, a major move is likely for the Premier League next summer. The aforementioned report claims that semi-automated offside technology could be in place ahead of the 2024/25 season. The technology is currently active in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a>. Italy’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> also uses the popular tool as well.</p>



<p>Semi-automated offside technology makes tough offside decisions in a fraction of the time. It also helps limit the hindrance of ‘human error’ in replay reviews. Many see human error as the reason for a plethora or incorrect calls during Premier League matches this season.</p>



<p>Implementing semi-automated offside technology was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-says-no-to-semi-automated-offside-technology-20230609-WST-436866.html">previously rejected</a> by Premier League managers this summer. However, there is now a growing feeling that the coaches will help bring the tool to the English top flight next summer.</p>



<p>Photo credits: IMAGO / Sportsphoto : IMAGO / PRiME Media Images</p>


Premier League considers semi-automated offside for next year

Premier League managers will support the use of semi-automated offside technology ahead of the 2024/25 season


<p>FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) will not be coming to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> anytime soon. The English top flight has reportedly rejected the chance to introduce the technology ahead of the 2023/24 season. This is despite the fact that a series of VAR-rated blunders plagued the league in recent years.</p>



<p>The technology quickly tracks players’ limbs to determine if they have strayed offside. VAR officials are then signaled by the technology to stop the game while the check is in process. Although traditional VAR reviews can take minutes to get a correct call, SAOT is significantly faster.</p>



<h2>Success in FIFA, UEFA competitions</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Semi-Automated Offside Technology makes its debut in Serie A! | Focus | Round 20 | Serie A 2022/23" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wA_n-04rJDw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>SAOT was in place during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The technology was widely seen as a success at the tournament. UEFA competitions such as the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champions League</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa League</a>, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/conference-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Conference League</a> also utilized SAOT throughout the 2022/23 season. The technology helped rightly rule out Fiorentina’s possible goal only seconds from the halftime whistle in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/late-bowen-goal-gives-west-ham-europa-conference-title-20230607-WST-436481.html">Conference League Final against West Ham</a>.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12176067/Premier-League-decide-AGAINST-introducing-semi-automated-offside-technology-season.html?ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490&amp;ito=1490" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Daily Mail</em></a> has claimed that the topic of SAOT will not make it on the agenda of the Premier League’s Annual General Meeting. Representatives of all 20 teams will meet mid-June. However, the English top flight will be making some tweaks to their VAR system in place.</p>



<h2>Premier League adding cameras, but not for semi-automated offside</h2>



<p>Each Premier League club may add four additional cameras to its stadium this summer. This would provide VAR with more camera angles to help better determine infractions. The Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), England’s head of soccer refereeing, agreed stadiums needed to add more cameras. A final decision on the move will come down to a vote by the Premier League clubs.</p>



<p>PGMOL and VAR in England was seemingly under constant pressure during the 2022/23 campaign. The refereeing body apologized to multiple top-flight teams <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-referees-to-meet-after-weekend-of-var-mistakes-20230213-WST-419626.html">throughout the season for incorrect calls</a>. One particular incident involved Lee Mason failing to draw offside lines during a matchup between <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> and Brentford. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lee-mason-wont-referee-premier-league-after-quitting-pmgol-20230218-WST-420386.html">Mason left his role</a> following the mishap.</p>



<p>Although the Premier League has said no to the semi-automated offside technology, Spain’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LaLiga</a> is welcoming it with open arms, as are other leagues in Europe.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PRiME Media Images</em></p>


The Premier League has reportedly rejected the chance to introduce semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Premier League says no to semi-automated offside technology - World Soccer Talk

Premier League says no to semi-automated offside technology

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>Over the last few years, technology and Artificial Intelligence made serious advances in the world, including soccer and sport. Each month, articles and speculation arise regarding robots removing people from everyday jobs in the coming years.</p>
<p>Consequently, that trend leaks into the beautiful game. First, goal-line technology established itself in the sport around the world. Since then, Video Assistant Referee, or VAR, entered the fray for major competitions across the globe.</p>
<p>Recently, FIFA announced the debut of ‘semi-automated’ offside coming to <a href="https:\/\/www.fifa.com/technical/media-releases/semi-automated-offside-technology-to-be-used-at-fifa-world-cup-2022-tm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the World Cup in Qatar</a>. It is the first use of the technology in the sport, coming on the biggest stage possible. So, it appears robots enter mainstream use earlier than anticipated. FIFA expresses that these changes come to make the game better. Yet, does technology actually make the sport a better spectacle?</p>
<h3>Technology’s growth in soccer</h3>
<p>Now, there are some arguments that goal-line technology has had a positive impact. It measures something definite or binary. Simply put, the ball is completely across the line, or it is not.&nbsp; On the other hand, VAR adds another layer of scrutiny to a refereeing decision. In doing so, the technology in soccer is still subjective in this regard. The determining opinion comes from the man in the middle or the VAR booth.</p>
<p>Ahead of <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">the 2022 World Cup</a>, FIFA introduced the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/02/09/fifa-backs-semi-automated-offside-system-to-boost-var/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">semi-automated offside</a> to the Club World Cup and the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2021/12/02/semi-automated-offside-debuts-at-2021-arab-cup/">Arab Cup</a>. On both occasions, FIFA claimed the technology worked well.</p>
<p>For the uninitiated, the new system combines a sensor inside the ball to measure when a pass is played. That sensor sends a signal 500 times per second, so a kick isn’t missed. Then, 12 multi-tracking and synchronizes cameras can alert the referee to an offside decision. It makes it binary. Well, the words of arguably the best referee of the past 30 years, Pierluigi Collina, who backs the new technology in soccer, suggested some shade. “<a href="https:\/\/www.news24.com/citypress/sport/fifa-figures-out-new-technology-to-speed-up-offside-decisions-20220701" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Technology works most of the time</a>,” he said.</p>
<h5>Most of the time*</h5>
<p>Implementing this allows the VAR officials to come to a conclusion quicker. They no longer rewind the video of the forward pass to suspect an offside decision. Yet, soccer fans rely on technology that works ‘most’ of the time. What happens if it fails in the World Cup Final? Who is to blame then? These are constantly moving aspects of the game. The ball, the passer, the pass recipient and the defense.</p>
<p>With goal-line technology, it’s a moving ball and a static goalpost. It’s far easier to monitor and determine an outcome. It is churlish to suggest the technology is not advanced enough to deal with the multiple facets involved in offside decisions. Still, the computational brains behind VAR do not often help when the person interpreting the imagery still get it wrong.</p>
<p>Leeds United had a goal disallowed for offside when the VAR officials made a questionable decision. Patrick Bamford, whose body, head and legs were all onside, <a href="https:\/\/talksport.com/football/785820/var-patrick-bamford-goal-offside-crystal-palace-leeds/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">pointed where he wanted the ball played</a>. His hand extended beyond the last defender, and VAR ruled the play offside. Could he score with his hand? No. Does a pointing motion give him an added advantage regarding his ability to run? No. It was ridiculous.</p>
<p>In the same season, Fulham suffered a loss at the hands of Spurs. A <a href="https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-law-change-var-football-23614479" rel="noopener" target="_blank">handball decision against Mario Lemina</a>‘s arm took away a potential crucial point. Lemina’s arm rested by his side, and it was clear that it was not a handball. That one point could have proved pivotal in Fulham’s bid for survival, which came up short.</p>
<h5>The classic game</h5>
<p>The debate around refereeing decisions has one which the fans love to get involved with. But, it is something done over a beer before or after a game. The top referees earn that designation because they excel at their job. Collina serves as the perfect example. He garnered respect because he got things right to go with his fearsome <a href="https:\/\/mobile.twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1539246766754869250" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Hills have Eyes</a> look!? He didn’t get there by metrics, or the ability to interpret a badly drawn line on a video screen.</p>
<p>Soccer is not something requiring perfection and cleanliness. Technology is not the key to overhaul the sport. It can complement the game, but there are far too many ways in which tech will turn soccer into a more monotonous, almost predictable, and arguably dull sport. And before we know it, will that then signal the point when the T3000 will replace footballers on the pitch too? No, thank you.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images</em></p>


Technology is making an increased push in soccer via the semi-automated offside at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Is it perhaps overextending?

Why soccer needs better referees, not more technology - World Soccer Talk

Why soccer needs better referees, not more technology

<div id="attachment_360233" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-360233" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Semi-automated offside represents the newest stage of technological-integration of soccer.</p>
<p>First off, goal-line technology provided definitive right and wrong for whether or not the ball crossed the goal line. Next, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) allowed officials to get a closer look via replay at infractions on the pitch. Taking that a step further, a new technology allows VAR to recognize infractions in real time via cameras and software.</p>
<p>Making its debut at the <a href="https:\/\/www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/arabcup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021 Arab Cup</a>, semi-automated offside involves a set of cameras inside stadiums that track each player. The cameras, which connect to software at the designated offside video operations area, track players throughout the game.</p>
<p>However, the key for this new technology remains in the name: semi-automated offside. Therefore, there is still that ever-important human element. The camera and software simply alert the VAR of a potential offside in near-real time. Then, it is still up to the official in the video booth to make the decision.</p>
<p>For the first time, fans will get to see this software in action. The 2021 Arab Cup in Qatar acts as a trial for the technology. However, it may provide the chance that it appears in one year for the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/11/19/one-year-from-world-cup-clock-ticks-ever-louder-for-qatar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 World Cup</a>, also held in Qatar.</p>
<h3>Semi-automated offside</h3>
<p>As stated previously, the sport grows more technological as advancements continue on that front. There is certainly opposition to this increased-use of cameras, videos and sensors, but FIFA continues its push to essentially clean the game of errors.</p>
<p>With its debut at the 2021 Arab Cup, semi-automated offside utilizes the modern stadiums (<a href="https:\/\/www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/aug/26/qatar-has-failed-to-explain-up-to-70-of-migrant-worker-deaths-in-past-10-years-amnesty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">built amidst controversy</a>) to provide an accurate assistance on infractions missed by the officials.</p>
<p>Yet, as FIFA mention in its explanation of the new implementation, offside is not a clear-cut infraction. Goal-line technology is simple, the ball is either across the line or it is not. VAR allowed some clarification on offside, despite some fanbases maligning the technology. Semi-automated offside could be just as stringent, if not more.</p>
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="FIFA&apos;s Semi-Automated Offside Technology" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/f9GJraSVFFo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<h5>How it works</h5>
<p>The <a href="https:\/\/www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/arabcup/arabcup2021/match-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021 Arab Cup</a> will be interesting to see. Fans watching from home often get a glimpse into the rulings made by the VAR official, although it can still be somewhat confusing.</p>
<p>With the more intricate tendencies of this new implementation, there is always the possibility FIFA does not show certain camera angles. However, let’s break down how it works.</p>
<p>With a tournament such as the 2021 Arab Cup, there are six stadiums in use. At each stadium, there are a set of cameras under the roofs that actively and continuously track each player on the field. Moreover, the cameras generate 29 points of reference 50 times each second on every player on the pitch. That’s certainly a lot of movement and action to keep up with, but FIFA’s software keeps track in real time.</p>
<p>Then, the software continuously analyzes these points of reference and signals when there is a possible offside infraction. At that point, the replay official in the designated offside section makes his call.</p>
<p>The entire purpose of semi-automated offside is to cut down the amount of time spent by video assistant referees looking at offside calls. Previously, any goal would get a brief, or extended, look for a possible offside. This should diminish those wait times.</p>
<p>Remember, the main part is that this is semi-automated. There is still a human element that makes the actual call. That video assistant referee then alerts the on-field referee of the offside. All this technology does is help the VAR recognize a potential offside.</p>
<h5>The future of video and technology in refereeing</h5>
<p>Christina Unkel, a soccer laws analyst at CBS Sports, has experience using technology to officiate games. Despite some <a href="https:\/\/playingfor90.com/2019/10/25/var-taking-away-excitement-football-making-honest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fans’ objections to VAR</a> for taking away the spirit of the game, she believes it is here to stay.</p>
<p>Of course, most of people’s concern with VAR is that it is overly stringent, penalizing offenses for having a shoelace out of line when it comes to offside calls. Unkel says the Premier League and the Eredivisie are just two examples of competitions employing a ‘buffer zone’ to allow more judgment, and perhaps more leniency, on the part of the officials.</p>
<blockquote><p><span><em>“It was clear that the strict application with small pixels was harsh in practice as the attacking teams were not receiving an unfair advantage when they were offside by a toe,”</em> Unkel explained.</span></p></blockquote>
<p>Unkel mentioned the use of thicker lines on VAR decisions for offside rather than the miniscule pixel-width lines used previously. This change and the use of a margin for error, as it is called in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/eredivisie-tv-schedule/">Eredivisie</a>, should align with the expectations of the sports passionate community.</p>
<p>That is not to say technology and VAR are leaving the sport. In many cases, it allows referees to see things like red card infringements or off-the-ball antics. This extends to offside calls. Unkel believes these will never be fully automated. Yes, technology can determine kick point and margin of error to be exact, but it is still up to the referee to determine whether or not a player interferes with the play.</p>
<p>Unkel, as a former referee, understands the difficulties of refereeing.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“Technology is finally here for the referee to evolve into a modern day referee, but refereeing is still an art, not a science, and we are here to stay.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>FOX Sports has the rights to the Arab Cup, which includes the semi-automated offside technology. Most of the games are televised on FOX Sports 2 from now through December 18, 2021. Check the <a href="https:\/\/www.worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com">TV listings on our homepage</a> for more details.</p>


Semi-automated offside is a new technology making its 'competitive debut' during the 2021 Arab Cup. This new technology creates precision.

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