FA CUP TO INTRODUCE NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR FIRST TIME IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL - WITH PREMIER LEAGUE TO FOLLOW SUIT 'LATER THIS SEASON'
- Semi-automated offside technology has long been used across competitions
- But, the technology has not been utilised in England despite receiving approval
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English football is set to finally introduce semi-automated offsides, with the technology to be used for the first time in the FA Cup fifth round.
The technology, which was used in the 2022 World Cup and is regularly part of the Champions League, is said to enhance the speed and efficiency of the offside process.
Its introduction in England has continually been delayed, but it is now set to be trialled in the next stage of the FA Cup, before being utilised in the Premier League later this season.
The technology will be part of the wider use of VAR in the FA Cup, with the system set to be in place across all eight ties in the fifth round after it wasn't used in the third or fourth round.
As part of a wider use of VAR, referees will also be required to provide in-stadium announcements explaining decisions that came after a review.
A statement from the FA read: 'Video Assistant Referees [VAR] will be active across all eight ties of this season’s Emirates FA Cup fifth round proper.
'This will include in-stadium VAR announcements, where match officials will announce their final decision in relation to reviewed incidents to provide improved clarity and understanding for spectators and viewers.
'The fifth round will also utilise Semi-Automated Offside Technology in all seven matches taking place at Premier League stadiums, which is the first time it will be used live in competitive matches in English football.
'The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round, in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season.'
They continued: 'Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season.
'Semi-Automated Offside Technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.
'The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process.'
The introduction of the technology was approved by Premier League clubs in April 2024 and had been set to be brought in to the league after one of last autumn's international windows.
League bosses sought to 'manage expectations' on the launch date among clubs at a meeting held in central London last September, with testing on the system ongoing.
October had originally been seen as the most likely date but several months have since passed.
The top flight believes the technology could speed up the length of the average VAR check for offside by 31 seconds.
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Read more 2025-02-13T13:40:52Z
