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.

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.

Read – Tweets of the Week: DCL’s shin pads, football clubs as biscuits, Pro Evo coffee