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Premier League make huge rule change decision impacting Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs

It's hoped new technology will reduce delay times for offside decisions.
-Credit: (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)


The introduction of semi-automated offside technology [SAOT] has reportedly been delayed until later this year. It was hoped that the new technology would be in operation a few months into the Premier League season, but that installation appears as though it will be pushed back.

The mechanism was said to have been discussed during Thursday's Premier League meeting, where an update on that new offside platform was given. The system is already being used in the revamped Champions League, having also been in place at the 2022 World Cup.

Back in April, Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, unanimously voted in favour of the top-flight installing SOAT for this season. It had been planned for the new system to be launched across one of the Autumn's international breaks, but reports from The Athletic says this will now come into play this winter.

As seen in other competitions where it's in operation, SOAT speeds up decision-making when it comes to offside calls, using cameras to track "thousands" of touch-points on each player and, of course, the ball. The result of that comes with a marked reduction in the delay of game.

The Premier League hopes SOAT will, on avergae, shave 30 seconds off decision-making time with graphics to be shown on screens inside stadiums and on live TV broadcasts. However, VAR will still be involved with offside calls.

The off-field officials will check that the point of contact and the offside line has been recorded correctly before informing the on-field referee of the decision. VAR may also still be used for what the Premier League calls "edge decisions" that are difficult to decide upon.

In instances where the ball is hidden from the camera angles to make an accurate reading - for example, if it was among a melee of players - and for scenarios where a subjective call is needed regarding the interference of play, VAR will also get involved.

Speaking in August, Howard Webb, chief of referee body PGMOL, said: "The biggest benefit of semi-automated offsides is around the efficiency of the process. We already believe our interventions around offside are accurate.

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"The manual use of technology can take time, particularly in more complicated situations." Webb continued. "We're looking forward to making it quicker but retaining the accuracy.

"It's 'semi-automated' because there still needs to be some validation on the outputs from the technology that the VAR will go through, such as identifying the kick point."

Meanwhile, a vote on amendments to commercial rules involving Premier League clubs was reportedly withdrawn from the agenda for Thursday's meeting. This comes after Manchester City sued the Premier League earlier this year for a loss of damages over 'discriminatory' regulations, which led to a hearing this summer.