September 27 – The much-hyped introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) to the English Premier League will be delayed until at least the new year.
Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) had hoped to introduce the system before the October international break, however, Premier League officials were informed that would not be the case.
It is assumed that PGMOL was feeling the heat as the technology might not yet be ready for the high pressurised environment of the Premier League. Further testing will be required in the hope that the time it takes to confirm offside decisions will be drastically reduced. It is thought and hoped that SOAT technology can reduce VAR offside interventions by more than 30 seconds.
The current system uses Hawk-Eye’s technology utilising a two-dimensional line with the final defender. Crosshairs are then placed against body parts of the attacking and defending players. The Premier League has five cameras calibrated to give many viewing options however, the two-dimensional line is still inserted by VAR match officials, which has led to some controversial decisions.
Last season Liverpool’s Luis Diaz had a goal disallowed versus Tottenham Hotspurs when the VAR dimensional lines were not provided on the broadcast replays. Liverpool lost the match leading then Reds boss, Jurgen Klopp to say “some people probably don’t want me to say, but not as the manager of Liverpool so much, more as a football person, the only outcome should be a replay.” He added “the argument against (a replay) will probably be if we open that gate then everybody will ask for it.”
After the match, PGMOL said that a “significant human error” has occurred.
At the Premier League shareholders meeting, chief football officer, Tony Scholes, showed that VAR decision-making has improved this season.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1727429184labto1727429184ofdlr1727429184owedi1727429184sni@o1727429184fni1727429184