Premier League make major rule change decision that impacts Man United and Man City

Premier League make major rule change decision that impacts Man United and Man City

The introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SOAT) has reportedly been delayed until later this year

Referee Anthony Taylor shows a yellow card during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea
Referee Anthony Taylor shows a yellow card during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

The roll-out of semi-automated offside technology (SOAT) in the Premier League has reportedly been postponed until later in the year. The technology was anticipated to be operational a few months into the season but now seems set for a delay.

During a Premier League meeting on Thursday, discussions included an update on the new offside system that’s already being used in the current Champions League format and was present at the 2022 World Cup.

Back in April, members such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham unanimously agreed to implement SOAT for this ongoing season. Hopes were that it would debut during an Autumn international break, but The Athletic reports a shift, with introduction expected this winter instead.

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In leagues where SOAT is active, benefits include quicker offside decisions, tracking thousands of data points on players and the ball alike, resulting in less disruption to play. Averaging a 30-second decrease in decision time, SOAT aims to enhance viewer experience through instant graphic displays both for stadium spectators and television audiences.

Even with these technological advances, VAR will still play a role in finalising offside determinations. The off-pitch officials will ensure the point of contact and the offside line are accurately recorded before relaying the decision to the on-field referee.

The Premier League has stated that VAR may still be used for “edge decisions” that are challenging to determine. In situations where the ball is obscured from camera angles, making an accurate reading difficult – such as when it’s amidst a group of players – or when a subjective judgement is required regarding play interference, VAR will also step in.