While the Premier League has been plagued by numerous and critical offside errors, LaLiga from Spain has surged ahead in implementing semi-automatic offside detection technology. This technology was previously utilized during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Premier League has faced challenges with incorrect offside decisions in recent times, leading to apologies from the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) for errors that cost clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool valuable points. For instance, during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford towards the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season, the VAR responsible for assessing an offside call failed to draw the correct lines for judging Brentford’s equalizer.
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Given the success of the semi-automatic offside detection technology at the World Cup, many wondered why the Premier League had not adopted this system. Despite calls for its implementation, which relies on a ball with a microchip to detect offside situations, the Premier League has yet to commit to using this technology. In contrast, LaLiga has boldly embraced this innovative technology for offside detection.
LaLiga made an official statement expressing their commitment to using the offside detection system, stating, “It is the RFEF’s intention to continue to maintain the video refereeing assistance service, incorporating semi-automatic offside detection (SAOT) technology into this system. This technology is already in use in some of the most prominent football competitions in Europe and the world, demonstrating a significant improvement in assessing offside plays and reducing decision-making time, thereby enhancing credibility and reliability.”
LaLiga has called for tenders to contract video assistance services for various official RFEF (Real Federación Española de Fútbol) competitions and other related services. Notably, while embracing semi-automatic offside detection technology, LaLiga has refrained from implementing goal-line technology, which is commonly utilized in many European leagues. The exact debut date for the semi-automatic offside detection technology in LaLiga has not been announced.