Premier League officials are hopeful of implementing semi-autonomous offside technology in the near future in a bid to end controversy over the current laws.
Offsides have been a major source of frustration for players, managers and supporters since the introduction of Video Assistant Referees in the 2019/20 campaign, with the fractional margins, wobbly lines and length of time to reach a decision adding to the unpopularity of the technology.
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There has also been criticism over the decision to tell assistant referees to delay the raising of the flag in clear offside situations, a scenario which many feel needlessly raises the prospect of injuries as play continues before being brought back.
According to The Athletic, plans are now underway to find a solution to the current offside law, including proposals to implement semi-autonomous technology in time for the 2022/23 season.
The technology will use ‘innovative player-tracking cameras’ in a bid to improve offside decisions, though it is understood there remains someway to go before the technology is approved by FIFA for usage in major competitions.
Hawk-Eye are behind the technology which would work in similar fashion to goal-line technology, providing VAR officials with an instant image displaying an accurate offside line, before alerting the on-pitch referee in swift fashion.
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