Football News Update: Premier League Set to Unveil Groundbreaking VAR System with Semi-Automatic Offside Technology
The Premier League is poised to unveil a revolutionary new version of the video assistant referee (VAR) system, incorporating semi-automatic offside technology (SAOT). This AI-powered system, developed by the technology company Genius Sports, aims to deliver the best officiating setup in the world of football.
The Premier League’s decision to implement SAOT comes after a season plagued by lengthy delays for VAR checks, with the average referral taking 64 seconds and the average game length extending to almost 102 minutes. The clubs have unanimously voted in favor of the new technology, which is set to be introduced after the upcoming international break.
Genius Sports will install 28 computer vision cameras at every Premier League ground, capturing 10,000 surface data points for each player and the ball. This will enable the system to instantly create “offside walls” for VAR and match officials, with the detailed player graphics also set to be made available for TV viewers, significantly improving the match-day experience for fans.
The Premier League claims that the sophisticated officiating system, powered by billions of data points, will provide unparalleled precision in every offside decision. During testing, the SAOT operated by match officials delivered decisions in a matter of seconds, leading Genius Sports to claim that the average waiting time can be reduced to around 30 seconds.
The introduction of SAOT follows its successful implementation by UEFA in the 2022-23 Champions League season and its use at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Premier League’s move to adopt this cutting-edge technology aims to address the high-profile offside errors that plagued the league last season, ensuring that such mistakes are not repeated.
As the Premier League gears up for the upcoming 2023-24 season, the introduction of the SAOT system is poised to revolutionize the way football matches are officiated, providing a more accurate and efficient VAR process that will enhance the overall fan experience.
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