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What is semi-automated offside technology? Premier League debuts major VAR change

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This weekend marks a significant change in the Premier League as semi-automated offside technology (SOAT) is officially introduced for the first time. The system is an evolution of the existing VAR technology, designed to improve both accuracy and speed when making offside decisions.

Fans and players alike have often voiced frustration over the time-consuming nature of VAR checks, and this innovation aims to reduce that by automating key elements of the process.

Semi-automated offside technology has already been tested on the global stage, having featured in the men’s and women’s World Cups in 2022 and 2023. It has also been used consistently in the UEFA Champions League since the start of the 2022/23 season.

In England, the FA Cup was the first domestic competition to trial SOAT earlier this year, and now the Premier League is set to implement the technology moving forward as part of its 2024/25 season upgrades.

The way SOAT works is straightforward yet technologically advanced. Traditionally, VAR officials manually draw lines to determine the positions of the attacker and defender involved in a potential offside.

They also identify the moment the ball was played, known as the “kick point.” With the introduction of SOAT, this process becomes largely automated.

The system instantly provides the key lines and the kick point to the VAR team, who then review the data and communicate their decision to the referee and, subsequently, to fans in the stadium and those watching from home.

One of the major advantages of SOAT is the reduction in time needed to complete offside checks. Estimates suggest the average time saved per decision could be up to 30 seconds.

While FIFA used sensors inside the ball to track its movement at the World Cup, Premier League matches will rely on high-frame-rate cameras installed in stadiums to pinpoint the ball’s position during play.

The road to implementation in the Premier League hasn’t been entirely smooth. The league approved the use of SOAT back in April, with an initial plan to roll it out following an international break last autumn. However, logistical and technical challenges delayed the launch.

Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes recently reaffirmed the league’s confidence in the technology, calling it the most advanced and future-ready system available. He admitted to initial doubts due to earlier setbacks in the season, but praised the rapid progress made in recent months.

Despite these advancements, the FA Cup’s initial trial did highlight some potential complications. During one of the first matches using SOAT, a crowded penalty area rendered the technology temporarily ineffective.

VAR officials had to revert to manual review, resulting in a record-breaking eight-minute delay. That incident led to a reassessment of how the technology is integrated with existing systems to ensure smoother operation in the future.

With its full-scale debut in the Premier League now underway, the hope is that SOAT will provide more accurate decisions at a faster pace, reducing controversy and maintaining the flow of the game.

The football world will be watching closely to see how the new system performs in one of the most competitive and high-profile leagues on the planet.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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