The perplexing postponement of the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) in the Premier League is set to be prolonged until 2025. The World Cup 2022 and Euro 2024, along with other FIFA and UEFA competitions over the past few years, have utilised a SAOT system for more precise and notably quicker offside decisions.
However, the Premier League has yet to implement this technology, and club bosses were informed on Thursday about another delay in its introduction. A vote approving its use was passed in April, with a start date of mid-October initially planned.
It was anticipated that the system could be operational at Premier League venues after next month’s international break, potentially reducing decision-making time for tight offsides by over half a minute.
However, a meeting of Premier League shareholders in London revealed that the development would not be ready until later in the year, at the earliest as more testing was required.
A more probable start date is 2025. While chief executives and other club representatives were informed that further testing was required to ensure SAOT was prepared for the demands of the Premier League, they were reassured that VAR is improving.
Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer, presented a claim that the efficiency of VAR decision-making has improved. Clubs were also reminded of their responsibility for player behaviour following several recent games being tarnished by a flurry of yellow cards.
There was no conversation regarding the hearing into the 115 charges against Manchester City, nor any negative response to the news that the Premier League had been compelled to shell out £45million on legal costs in its efforts to enforce financial regulations.
