SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDE TECHNOLOGY IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL Introduction: Semi-automated offside technology will be used in English domestic football for the first time during the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Football Association announced that the technology will be used in the seven games taking place at Premier League stadiums. How It Works: The system aims to remove some elements of human subjectivity by replacing decisions made by officials with automated ones taken by technology. When a player scores after a borderline offside situation, officials in the video assistant referee (VAR) room must decide on three key things - when the ball was kicked, where and at what angle the defenders body was when the ball was kicked, and where and what angle the attackers body was. All three of those decisions will now be automatically taken by the technology. Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence manages the process, monitoring ball and player movement, before coming up with a decision as to whether the player was onside or offside. Camera Installation: Bespoke cameras have been installed beneath the roof at all 20 Premier League stadiums to monitor a variety of key elements involved in any tight offside decision. Implementation: Premier League clubs approved the use of semi-automated offside technology for the 2024-25 season, with a planned introduction date of October 2024. Uefa introduced semi-automated offside technology in the Champions League at the start of the 2022-2023 campaign. Benefits: The FA stated that semi-automated offside technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters. The operation of semi-automated offside technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process. Conclusion: Video assistant referees (VAR) will also be active across all eight FA Cup fifth-round ties, including the match at Championship side Preston, with referees making in-stadium VAR announcements. The fifth round is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, 1 March.