For the first time in English domestic football, semi-automatic offside technology is introduced in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
On Thursday, the football association announced that this technology will be used in the seven games at the event locations of the Premier League.
The Premier League clubs initially approved the use of the technology for the 2024-25 season in April to rule them out in October 2024.
However, the implementation was postponed to enable additional tests, which only increased the pressure on the officials this season.
The FA said: “After successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will try to implement the system later this season.
“The semi-automatic offside technology offers more efficient placement of the virtual offside line based on optical player tracking, and create virtual graphics to ensure an improved in-stadium and radio experience for supporters.
🚨🏴 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Semi-automatic offside is now presented to English football. 📺
Is used in the 5th round of the FA Cup and in the Premier League at some point later in the season. pic.twitter.com/heehpnnwgv
– Eurofoot (@Eurofootcom) February 13, 2025
“The operation of semi-automatic offside technology does not change the accuracy of decision-making, but improves the speed and efficiency of the process.”
At the beginning of the 2022-2023 season, UEFA took over the semi-automatic offside technology in the Champions League.
In addition, Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be available for all eight FA Cup games in the fifth round, including the game on the championship page Preston, where referees in Stadium offer Var announcements.
The game of the fifth round will take place on the weekend of Saturday, March 1st.
The Giants Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham were all switched off, while the owners Manchester United, Rivals Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa all stay in the competition.
