English football is set to finally introduce semi-automated offsides, with the technology to be used for the first time in the FA Cup fifth round.
The technology, which was used at the 2022 World Cup and is regularly part of the Champions League, is said to enhance the speed and efficiency of the offside process.
Its introduction in England has continually been delayed, but it is now set to be trialled in the next stage of the FA Cup, before potentially being utilised in the Premier League later this season.
The use of the technology will be part of the wider involvement of VAR in the FA Cup fifth round, with the system set to be in place across all eight ties after it wasn’t used in the third or fourth round.
Referees will also be required to provide in-stadium announcements explaining decisions that come after a review, something that was seen for the first time in England during the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
A statement from the FA read: ‘Video Assistant Referees [VAR] will be active across all eight ties of this season’s Emirates FA Cup fifth round proper.
VAR is set to be in action across all eight ties of the FA Cup fifth round next month
This will also include the long-awaited use of semi-automated offside technology
There is hope the technology will enhance the speed and efficiency of the offside process
‘This will include in-stadium VAR announcements, where match officials will announce their final decision in relation to reviewed incidents to provide improved clarity and understanding for spectators and viewers.
‘The fifth round will also utilise Semi-Automated Offside Technology in all seven matches taking place at Premier League stadiums, which is the first time it will be used live in competitive matches in English football.
‘The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round, in collaboration with the PGMOL, following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season.’
They continued: ‘Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season.
‘Semi-Automated Offside Technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.
‘The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process.’
While VAR will be in place across all eight ties, semi-automated offsides will be in place at all of the games bar the all Championship tie between Preston vs Burnley.
The introduction of the technology was approved by Premier League clubs in April 2024 and had been set to be brought in to the league after one of last autumn’s international windows.
The introduction of the technology was approved by Premier League clubs in April 2024
If successful, it will be introduced to the Premier League and replace the current system
October had originally been seen as the most likely date but several months have since passed.
The top flight believes the technology could speed up the length of the average VAR check for offside by 31 seconds.
Speaking last week, Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes had said the technology was still on course to be introduced this season.
He said there had been ‘significant progress’ made over the last four to six weeks.
‘The system that we’ve adopted, we believe it to be the best system,’ he said.
‘We believe it to be the most accurate and the most future-proof system as well. I have to confess, given the difficulties that we had over the first few months of the season, I had severe doubts about this but the progress made over the last four to six weeks has been significant.’
Scholes insisted introducing it with potentially only a handful of games to go would not create an integrity issue.
‘The operation of semi-automated offside technology does not change the integrity of the offside law and doesn’t change the integrity of decision-making,’ he said.
‘We have got 100 per cent accuracy (on offside after VAR checks) this season, so it won’t improve the accuracy. What it does is make the process more efficient.’
The eight fifth round ties will take place across the weekend of Saturday, March 1.
