The Premier League is set to delay the introduction of semi-automated VAR offside technology (SAOT) until 2025, as testing of the system continues.
Earlier this year, clubs unanimously voted to implement the technology, which is expected to reduce the average time for an offside check by 31 seconds.
The initial plan was to roll out SAOT “after one of the autumn international breaks,” with October being the most likely period.
However, during a Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Thursday, it was revealed that the system is not yet ready for deployment, raising doubts about its introduction this season.
SAOT automates the process of placing lines on players and the pitch, improving both speed and accuracy.
Additionally, the technology offers enhanced graphical visualisations of offside decisions, moving away from the current method of displaying lines on broadcast footage.
