This decision marks a major change in how offside rulings will be handled in one of football’s most-watched leagues, aiming to simplify the often-criticized Video Assistant Referee (VAR) process that has long frustrated players, coaches, and fans.
The announcement follows months of speculation, testing, and delays. Premier League clubs unanimously approved the technology in April 2024, initially targeting an autumn launch after an international break. However, setbacks during testing led to further trials to guarantee reliability. Throughout the season, non-live testing took place, while the FA Cup provided a live testing ground earlier in 2025, successfully demonstrating the system’s potential. Now, with confidence in its accuracy, the league is set to introduce SAOT in all top-flight matches.
So, how will this impact the game? The semi-automated system, developed in partnership with Genius Sports, uses high-speed cameras to track the ball and up to 29 data points on each player. This automates the placement of the virtual offside line—previously determined manually by VAR officials—reducing the time needed to make decisions by over 30 seconds on average. Additionally, high-quality 3D graphics will be instantly available, giving fans in stadiums and at home clearer visual explanations of offside calls via big screens and broadcasts.
Despite automation, human oversight remains crucial—VAR officials will still review automated alerts to ensure accuracy, especially in complex situations like crowded goal areas or debatable interference calls. This blended approach seeks to improve efficiency while maintaining precision, addressing previous complaints about VAR’s delays and errors, such as the controversial Luis Diaz offside call at Tottenham in 2023.
Some fans question the fairness of implementing SAOT mid-season, as nearly two-thirds of the campaign will have been played under the old system. However, Premier League Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes has defended the timing, stating that the benefits of faster decisions outweigh competitive concerns, as the fundamental offside law remains unchanged. “We’re not altering the integrity of the rule—just making the process quicker,” Scholes explained.
By adopting SAOT, the Premier League aligns itself with other major competitions like the Champions League, Serie A, and the 2022 World Cup, where the technology has already been successfully implemented. As Match Round 32 nears, anticipation is building—will this innovation finally resolve VAR controversies, or will new debates arise? One thing is certain: football’s technological evolution is moving forward, and the Premier League is embracing the change.
