The English Premier League announces the introduction of semi-automated offside technology, set to debut on April 12, enhancing match accuracy and decision-making

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he English Premier League (EPL) has confirmed the introduction of semi-automated offside technology, which will be used in matches starting on April 12.

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This decision was officially announced in a statement published on the league’s website on Tuesday.

The new system, which will be deployed from matchday 32, is the result of collaborative efforts between the Premier League, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), and sports data and technology company Genius Sports.

The semi-automated technology has undergone “non-live testing” earlier in the season, and the upcoming implementation will be its first use in a live competition.

This cutting-edge technology works by using optical player tracking to generate a virtual offside line and producing animation graphics to visually present the offside decision.

The move is designed to enhance the accuracy and speed of offside calls during matches, offering a more efficient way to assist referees.

The decision to introduce the semi-automated offside technology follows unanimous approval by all EPL clubs during a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting.

The technology was first trialled in top-level football at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has since been successfully adopted by several major football competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and Serie A.

The Premier League had initially announced in April 2024 that semi-automated offside technology would be implemented following the autumn international breaks of the 2024/25 season, though no exact timeline had been provided at the time.

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The introduction of this technology is expected to further improve the consistency and accuracy of offside decisions in the EPL, bringing the league in line with other top-tier football competitions that have already embraced similar innovations.