Semi-automated offside technology set for FA Cup fifth round, ahead of use in Premier League later this season
By James Hilsum
Published 13/02/2025 at 14:34 GMT
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Semi-Automated Offside Technology will be used in English football for the first time when the FA Cup fifth round takes place during the weekend of March 1-2. Should all go to plan, the technology will be rolled out into the Premier League at a later point this season. The system has been successfully implemented in the UEFA Champions League since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
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The Football Association has announced that semi-automated offside technology will be introduced in the FA Cup fifth round.
This marks the first time that the technology will be used in English football, and is set to be implemented at the seven ties held at Premier League grounds.
A joint statement issued by the FA, Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) reads as follows: "The fifth round will also utilise Semi-Automated Offside Technology in all seven matches taking place at Premier League stadiums, which is the first time it will be used live in competitive matches in English football.
"The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round, in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season.
"Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season."
The semi-automated technology has been used in the UEFA Champions League since the start of the 2022/23 season, and was also implemented during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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Meanwhile, the statement also confirmed that Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be present across all eight fifth round ties.
This includes the use of in-stadium VAR announcements, when match officials will reveal the final decision concerning reviewed incidents.
It is hoped that this measure will help to improve communication for fans watching the matches in person at the stadium, and on television.
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In-stadium announcements were used in this season’s Carabao Cup semi-finals, with the first of its kind occurring in the first leg between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Referee Stuart Attwell announced why Dominic Solanke's goal was ruled out, in a match which Spurs won 1-0 before a 4-0 defeat in the second leg.
The FA Cup fifth round ties take place across the weekend of March 1-2, but the exact match schedule has yet to be confirmed.
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