FA Cup to use semi-automated offsides for first time

The fifth round of the English FA Cup will be the first to use semi-automated offside technology, marking the technology's debut in British domestic football. The technology aims to reduce the subjectivity of human factors by replacing some manual judgments with automated decisions. This advancement is expected to bring more accuracy and consistency to officiating.

The Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday that the technology would be used in the seven FA Cup fifth-round matches held at Premier League stadiums. The FA added that if the practical application in the FA Cup is effective, the Premier League plans to introduce the system later this season. This potential adoption signifies a broader move towards technological assistance in football officiating.

Currently, when a player scores in a marginal offside situation, officials in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room must determine three key elements: the timing of the kick, the position and angle of the defending player at the time of the kick, and the position and angle of the attacking player. Now, all these decisions will be made automatically by the technology. This automation promises to streamline the process and reduce delays.

Artificial intelligence will manage the entire process, monitoring the movement of the ball and players, and determining whether a player is offside. To this end, custom cameras have been installed under the roofs of all 20 Premier League stadiums to monitor the key elements of any potential offside situation. Premier League clubs unanimously approved the use of the technology in the 2024-25 season in April, originally scheduled for launch in October 2024, but postponed due to the need for further testing. These preparations underscore the commitment to a seamless integration of the technology.

UEFA introduced semi-automated offside technology in the Champions League at the beginning of the 2022-23 season. The FA stated that semi-automated offside technology will be based on optical player tracking, more effectively placing virtual offside lines, and generating virtual images, thereby enhancing the fan experience in stadiums and broadcasts. The operation of semi-automated offside technology will not change the accuracy of decisions but will improve the speed and efficiency of the process. This will lead to quicker and more transparent officiating.

In addition, VAR technology will also be enabled in all eight FA Cup fifth-round matches, including the match at Championship club Preston. Referees will make live announcements in the stadium regarding VAR decisions. The FA Cup fifth-round matches are scheduled for the weekend of March 1 (Saturday). This comprehensive implementation of VAR and semi-automated offside technology highlights the FA's commitment to fair play and accurate officiating in the competition.