FA To Introduce Semi-Automated Offside Technology In FA Cup Fifth Round.
Semi-automated offside technology will make its debut in English domestic football during the fifth round of the FA Cup, marking a significant advancement in officiating.
The Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday that the technology will be implemented in seven matches taking place at Premier League stadiums. Following its introduction in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League is expected to adopt the system later this season.
This cutting-edge technology aims to eliminate certain elements of human subjectivity in offside decisions. Traditionally, officials in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room determine three key factors in offside calls—when the ball was played, the positioning of the defender, and the attacker’s body alignment. With the new system, these decisions will now be made automatically using artificial intelligence.
The process involves AI tracking both the ball and players’ movements to determine offside positions with greater speed and precision. Specialised cameras have been installed beneath the roofs of all 20 Premier League stadiums to capture essential data for the system.
Premier League clubs had unanimously approved the use of semi-automated offside technology for the 2024-25 season, with an initial rollout planned for October 2024. However, the introduction was postponed to allow for further testing. UEFA had already implemented the technology in the Champions League at the start of the 2022-23 season.
The FA highlighted that the system will provide “more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking”, while also producing enhanced visual graphics for both stadium audiences and television broadcasts. While the technology does not alter the accuracy of offside decisions, it significantly improves the speed and efficiency of the review process.
In addition to the semi-automated offside system, VAR will be active across all eight FA Cup fifth-round ties, including the fixture at Championship side Preston North End. Referees will also make in-stadium VAR announcements to keep fans informed.
The FA Cup fifth round is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, 1 March, with the new technology set to play a key role in shaping crucial match decisions.
