Liverpool one of nine Premier League teams ready for new Premier League technology
The Premier League will be using a semi-automated system for offside detection starting from the 2023/24 campaign. This system saw a successful implementation in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
This offside technology shall be in action later this year in the FIFA World Cup as well (h/t The Times) [Subscription Required]. Currently, in the Premier League, the offside line stands constructed by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technician and is subject to human error.
There have been instances of delays in play as well, which would certainly go down with the new AI technology. The current system of VAR has caught a lot of criticism because of its inconsistencies.
The current set of Premier League clubs will wait until the World Cup ends to take a decision on the new system through a voting process. Team officials and top management have seen the new system as a better alternative to the currently existing VAR tech.
How will the new tech influence the game?
Arsenal, Manchester United, Brighton, Southampton and Nottingham Forest are the clubs alongside the Champions League sides who already have the technology in place to make the switch.
In terms of other leagues, Serie A has been testing the same technology but on a non-live basis. The technology will have six hawkeyes on either side of the length of the pitch to track player movement and reportedly, will detect an offside within 0.5 seconds of the incident.
UEFA had a statement on the new technology, as per The Times.
“The alerts are instantaneous so as soon as the VAR has verified it the decision is made.We are seeing that under the semi-automated system decisions are being made within the time of natural stoppages for celebrations after a goal is scored rather than players waiting around for several minutes.”
VAR and the referee will still make the actual decision as part of the “semi-automated” system. This system shall use broadcast cameras as well to track exact positions. The decision shall stand conveyed to the on-field referee via a smartwatch.
Now with new technology in place, decisions are set to be concluded quicker. The only issue which stands is the issue of marginality. This system can call up to the slightest of offsides and it becomes important as to where to draw the line so that there is no black and white when it comes to decision making and there is a bit of improvisation as well.
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It remains to be seen how this will impact the Reds but it can bring even more perceived fairness in the sport with regards to offside. VAR and its lines on offside have continued to create debates. Liverpool fans don’t need a second reminder about how Jordan Henderson’s goal against Everton was cancelled out in October 2020.
The goal could have been a huge late winner for the Reds but it was ultimately chalked off by VAR, leading to his interview from Hendo on BT Sport, where he was evidently critical of the methodology used to adjudge if a goal was offside or not.
