Premier League to introduce semi-automated offside technology from April 12

The Premier League are set to introduce semi-automated offside technology in a bid to enhance the efficiency of decision-making.

When will the Premier League introduce semi-automated offsides?

The technology will come into use from Saturday, April 12 onwards (Gameweek 32) following non-live testing across the Premier League and live operation in the FA Cup this season.

According to the Premier League, it automates key elements of the offside decision-making process to support VAR – providing more efficient placement of the virtual offside line using optical player tracking.

The semi-automated technology generates virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans, which they believe maintains the integrity of the process while enhancing the speed, efficiency and consistency of offside calls.

Technology firm Genius Sports is behind the innovation, who have been working in collaboration with the Premier League and PGMOL.

Which game will be the first use of semi-automated offsides?

The first game to use the technology will be Manchester City’s clash with Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, April 12 at 12:30pm.

Initially, Premier League clubs had unanimously voted to approve the technology’s use before the start of the season but its introduction was delayed due to doubts in the operation.

Which leagues use semi-automated offsides?

Many football fans will be familiar with the technology, which has been in use in the Champions League since 2022/23.

Serie A adopted it in January 2023 and La Liga brought it in for the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

When was semi-automated offside technology first used?

The technology was first used in elite-level football at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Semi-automated offside technology explained

The system aims to remove any elements of human subjectivity, replacing decisions made by officials with automated ones.

At the moment in the Premier League, if a player scores a goal from a marginal offside situation the VAR room are faced with a number of dilemmas such as:

• When the ball was kicked
• Where/what angle the defender’s body was when the ball was kicked
• Where/what angle the attacker’s body was when the ball was kicked

Now, all of those decisions will be replaced by a computer. The specialised cameras used to monitor close offside decisions have been installed underneath the roof of all 20 Premier League grounds.

These cameras will track the ball’s movement and be able to determine whether or not an attacking player’s body was past the last defender’s when the ball was played.

The process is controlled by artificial intelligence and the 3D graphic as shown above will be displayed at grounds with a big screen and on televisions at home.