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The Premier League have announced that they will be utilising the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SOAT) from the 2024/25 season onwards, which will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking. In their official statement, they have anticipated that the new technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the Autumn international breaks.
Notably, the offside decisions for goals in current times are double-checked by the VAR officials, but there have been a lot of issues associated with it. There have been complaints regarding the extra time taken in completing the VAR checks, lack of clarity in the process, especially about the fan experience inside the stadiums, and the perceived errors made by the VAR officials.
As per the report from the Independent, the SOAT will replace the Hawk-Eye system, which uses a gridline or crosshair approach, to see whether an attacker is offside or not, through the help of the calibrated cameras around the pitch. But, from the next Premier League season onwards, the SAOT camera and technology will be implemented, which is already used in the UEFA Champions League.
The Premier League statement on the big development in the world of English football read, “At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology. 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 technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters,” they added.
