Why Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are not part of new semi-automated offside FA rule change
The FA Cup fifth round will see something different come in with regard to VAR and offside decisions
A new change to how VAR is used to determine offsides is coming. And it will wipe out the need for lines to be drawn and should be a quicker process.
Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) was used in the 2022 World Cup to good effect. The system uses tracking cameras to help the on-field and video match officials make better and faster offside decisions.
It is hoped that decisions will be made more than 30 seconds faster than the current setup, with VAR officials at Stockley Park having to use freeze frames and draw lines on a still photo to come up with a decision.
SAOT was due to be implemented in the Premier League for the start of this season but was delayed until later on in the campaign. It has not yet been utilised in the top flight, but will be trialled before the end of the month.
However, it will be first trialled in the majority of the FA Cup fifth round matches, with seven of the eight ties being played at Premier League grounds. If it is a success in the FA Cup, it will then be intropduced in the Premier League.
