The newly introduced semi-automated offside technology was used for the first time during Manchester City’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) was introduced ahead of Premier League gameweek 32 with the early kick-off between Manchester City and Crystal Palace allowing fans to see how it works in practice.
Clubs voted in the technology last April to aid close calls.
On Friday, the Premier League released a statement to preview the use of SAOT ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
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“The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) on Saturday 12 April after non-live testing in the Premier League and live operation in multiple FA Cup matches this season,” read the statement.
“SAOT automates key elements of the offside decision-making process for the VAR and will be used in close offside calls. SAOT will support to either confirm the referee’s on-field decision or recommend a change.
“The technology helps enhance the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decision-making.”
And it didn't take long for the technology to be tested, when Palace went ahead thanks to Eberechi Eze's strike on nine minutes.
Despite Pep Guardiola's protestations about Ismaila Sarr potentially being offside in the build-up, the goal was given after SAOT was used for the first time in England's top divisions.
Fans were quick to give their thoughts on social media.
One said: "I'm all for the semi-automated offside technology but they actually need to show the decisions. First Palace goal was 25 minutes ago and still no sign of the decision graphics."
A second added: "Semi-automated offside is pleasant to see."
A third explained: "You see how quick and efficient semi-automated offside calls are? It’s about time semi automated offside has been brought in, instead of them drawing lines. "
While a fourth commented: "Tight offside checked within 10 seconds instead of 5 minutes, football might be back."
As a fifth claimed: "Semi-automated worked well - quick decision."
How does semi-automated offside technology work?
According to the Premier League, "The system uses up to 30 newly installed cameras mounted around Premier League stadiums – with several capturing footage at 100 frames per second, twice the frame rate of typical broadcast cameras.
"The cameras track the exact movement of the ball as well as up to 10,000 surface "mesh" data points per player - meaning the technology will track to see if any attacking player involved in the build-up to any incident was offside.
"These are then "flagged" automatically in SAOT software to the VAR and SAOT operator".
Why is semi-automated offside technology not fully automated?
The Premier League says, "there is human input as the VAR still needs to confirm the decision and that the SAOT system has accurately identified the "kick-point" and the correct players with the correct part of the body – and the outcome of the SAOT.
"VAR will also need to determine whether the referee needs to conduct an on-field review for "subjective" offside calls – such as cases where deliberate play by a defender needs to be considered, or where an attacking player doesn’t touch the ball but could be interfering with an opponent while in an offside position".
Topics: Premier League, Football, VAR, Manchester City, Crystal Palace
Luke Davies