EPL hopes to introduce semi-auto offside tech before season end

FIFA

The English Premier League could introduce semi-automated offside technology before the end of the 2024-25 season following "significant" progress in testing, said Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes.

Last year, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to introduce the technology at a shareholders' meeting. It was expected to be implemented before Christmas but met with problems in testing.

"The progress made over the last four to six weeks has been significant. So, we believe we're going to be adopting the best system and the most accurate system," Scholes told British media on Tuesday.

"The EFL has introduced it into the League Cup this year. We will monitor it...Clearly, if we're not confident until the last two or three match rounds, I think you then arrive at a pragmatic place where you just say, it wouldn't make sense to introduce it now.

"But if we're able to introduce it in advance of that, then it's something that we're actively considering."

Semi-automated offside technology has been in use in major tournaments and helps limit the need for long waits for VAR reviews, where match officials manually check if a player is offside or not, while also reducing the margin for error.

The Premier League currently has VAR officials check offsides but the system has faced criticism for the time taken to come to a decision.

More from Sports News

  • Brook's defiant ton in vain as New Zealand beat England

    New Zealand overcame a blitz from centurion Harry Brook to beat England by four wickets on Sunday in the opening game of their three-match one-day international series, with Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell scoring half-centuries.

  • Bencic tames Noskova to win Tokyo title

    Belinda Bencic breezed past Czech sixth seed Linda Noskova 6-2 6-3 to win the Pan Pacific Open title on Sunday, erasing bitter memories of her straight-sets defeat by Agnieszka Radwanska in the title clash of the same tournament 10 years ago.

  • We need to find answers to stop Liverpool slide, says Slot

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot said opponents have identified a winning strategy against his Premier League champions and he needs to find a solution fast after a 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday made it four league losses in a row.

  • Rohit and Kohli bid likely farewell to Australia as winners

    Rohit Sharma hit a century and Virat Kohli a bright 74 to drive India to a nine-wicket win in the third one-day international on Saturday, sending fans home happy after what are likely to be their final appearances in Australia in their country's colours.

Blogs