Explainer: What is Semi-Automated Offside Technology?

The Semi-Automated Offside Technology will be implemented in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The realm of football officiating has witnessed a transformative technological evolution with the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT). Emerging as a specialised tool to address offsides, SAOT is not merely an extension of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) but a distinct innovation designed to enhance the precision and efficiency of officiating decisions, thereby reshaping the footballing landscape.

The SAOT technology is set to feature in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. This marks the first time that SAOT will be in place at an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competition and makes the AFC the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men’s national team level, which further underscores the AFC’s commitment towards improving accuracy and integrity of decision-making by its match officials.

So, let’s understand what exactly is this Semi-Automated Offside Technology:

The Mechanics of SAOT

Unlike VAR, which employs video replay, SAOT relies on tracking data to calculate offside incidents. The technology utilises high-speed tracking cameras strategically placed beneath the stadium roof, meticulously monitoring the coordinates of every player and the ball. These cameras, capturing an astounding 29 data points for each player 50 times per second, provide an unprecedented level of accuracy crucial for determining tight offside situations.

Upon detecting a potential offside, SAOT generates an automatic alert sent to the Video Operation Room (VOR), where VAR officials can scrutinise the situation while the game continues. This real-time analysis is why the technology is labelled as “semi-automated” – a collaboration between cutting-edge technology and human decision-making.

The Role of the Ball and Connected Ball Technology

SAOT doesn’t stop at player tracking; it incorporates a motion sensor inside a specially designed ball, creating what is known as connected ball technology. This innovation allows VAR officials to monitor the ball’s location and interactions at a staggering rate of 500 times per second. The 2022 FIFA World Cup introduced a groundbreaking ball named Al Rihla, a product of collaboration between FIFA, Adidas, and German analytics company KINEXON, featuring the connected ball technology.

Trialed successfully at the Arab Cup and Club World Cup in 2021, SAOT made its grand debut at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Its integration into European club football occurred during the 2022-23 Champions League, and La Liga is poised to become the first domestic league to adopt the technology, starting from the 2024-25 season. 

Following the verification of an offside, AI takes centre stage, transforming the vast amount of collected data into a dynamic animation illustrating the offside offence. This animation, available for VAR officials and spectators, utilises 3D modelling to accurately depict the players’ positions at the moment the ball was played. It automatically draws a screen aligned with the deepest-lying defender’s body part, marking the offside line and visually explaining the decision-making process.

FIFA asserts that SAOT introduces two fundamental benefits to the fan experience – speed and accuracy. With offside decisions under VAR averaging over 60 seconds, and sometimes lasting up to 4 or 5 minutes, the flow of the game is disrupted. SAOT aims to significantly reduce decision-making time, allowing fans to witness the game restarting more promptly.

Moreover, the technology is expected to minimise human error, a contentious issue since the introduction of VAR. The availability of digital animations immediately after an offside incident enhances transparency, providing fans with a clearer understanding of the decision-making process.

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