Premier League delays semi-automated offside VAR until 2025

The Premier League is set to delay the introduction of the semi-automated VAR offside technology, SAOT until 2025, as testing of the system continues.

Earlier this year, clubs unanimously voted to bring in the technology.

SAOT will reduce the time for a check by an average of 31 seconds.

The Premier League was scheduled to make the switch “after one of the Autumn international breaks,” with October believed to be the most likely time frame.

However, during the Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Thursday, it emerged that SAOT is not yet ready to be rolled out.

This raises questions about the validity of introducing it at all this season.

SAOT removes the manual element of placing the lines onto players and to pitch level, making it quicker and more accurate.

SAOT also provides a much-improved graphical visualisation of an offside decision, rather than the current method of displaying lines on the broadcast camera.

Premier League delays semi-automated offside VAR until 2025