Julius OkorieIf you are a die-hard fan of the English Premier league, then watch out as the Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) makes triumphant entry into the league today.
The league management had earlier hinted that the SAOT will step in April 12 (today) in the EPL.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAfter extensive trials and some discussions surrounding its efficacy, SAOT aims to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of decisions made on the field regarding offsides.
Recent weeks have seen several lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews, prompting a desire for a more streamlined process. The introduction of SAOT is expected to address these concerns and improve the overall experience for players and fans alike.
Clubs voted in favour of this technology last April, and its rollout has been carefully timed following further trials to ensure its effectiveness.
SAOT provides support to officials by automating critical aspects of offside decision-making, thus reducing the reliance on human interpretation in certain situations.
The Premier League emphasises that this artificial intelligence system enhances the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decisions, which have often sparked debate.
READ ALSO:Semi-automated Offside Technology (SAOT) Set For EPL Debut April 12
It is however important to note that SAOT is not a replacement for VAR and will not extend to other aspects of VAR, such as penalties, goal reviews for handballs, red cards, or issues of mistaken identity. Today’s match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad will be the first to welcome debutant SAOT at (12:30 WAT).
How SAOT Works:
The term “semi-automated” indicates that while the technology streamlines the review process, human verification is still required to confirm the decisions made by the system. We have already witnessed the effective use of SAOT in this season’s Champions League and in the FA Cup from the fifth round onwards.
During a VAR review for a tight offside decision, SAOT will step in to simplify the process. Officials previously had to analyse three critical factors: when the ball was kicked, the positions and angles of the defender’s body, and those of the attacking player at that exact moment. This manual process often led to delays and uncertainty, with viewers observing lengthy replays and lines drawn to determine offside.
With SAOT, bespoke cameras installed at all 20 Premier League stadiums will automatically track the ball and capture up to 10,000 data points on all 22 players’ movements. This technological enhancement allows for accurate determinations about a player’s position relative to defenders at the precise moment the ball is played.
The VAR team will verify the key points of the decision before it is communicated to the on-field officials, who will then inform players and fans. A 3D animation generated by the technology will be shared with viewers at home and displayed on screens in the stadium, enhancing transparency and understanding of the decision-making process.
In other matches lined up for today Arsenal just five points above Nottingham Forest host Brentford at the Emirates, Forest have a date with Everton while Brighton host relegation bound Leicester City.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
