After years of testing, an estimated rollout date, and another delay, semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is set to be the future of the football leagues.
Combining In-Person and Virtual Elements in Entertainment
As technology has continued to develop and evolve massively, consumer demand has also changed. Nowadays, technology is used to provide people with new ways to experience entertainment, particularly as it allows entertainment providers to combine elements of the real and digital worlds. Perhaps the key example of this is online casinos. Players can find a wide range of blackjack online games, such as Live All Bets Blackjack, Live Majority Rules Blackjack, and Live Unlimited Blackjack.
Here, online platforms utilize live-streaming technology to allow players to join physical table games through the internet, with gameplay happening in real time. It also supports the use of other technologies like graphic design, live captions, chat functions, and even augmented reality (AR) to further make the experience immersive and engaging.
And, with football being a key form of entertainment, a similar trend can be seen here, too. Of course, technology has already been integrated into matches, such as goal-line technology and video assistant referee (VAR) systems. Virtual advertising has also seen a boom, which overlays virtual ads onto broadcast feeds whilst giving viewers the impression that these are in-stadium adverts, allowing for more personalized and localized advertising experiences.
What is SAOT?
The newest technology to be rolled out in the Premier League is the artificial intelligence-based SAOT. First introduced by UEFA in the 2022-23 season group stage of the Champions League, the technology was quickly picked up by FIFA for use in the Qatar World Cup. In English football, SAOT debuted in the fifth round of the FA Cup, with matches from Feb 28 to March 3, 2025.
Of course, what we might think of now as ‘traditional’ VAR has not been without its controversies and frustrations. With this in mind, tech company Genius Sports developed SAOT to enhance the in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.
Instead of the referee mapping players on a 2D TV screen during a VAR check, SAOT automatically plots the relevant players in the check in a 3D animation. This simulation can be seen by the referee to ensure that accurate decisions are made. It can also be streamed on screen in stadiums and overlaid on TV to essentially provide viewers with the same view as the assistant referee, making decisions easier to understand.
Room For Improvement With SAOT
The benefit of SAOT technology is that it minimizes the risk of human error or accusations of unfairness, as the visualization displays to viewers and officials alike a clear image of offside. That said, there is far to go before SAOT becomes mainstream.
In fact, plans to introduce SAOT into the Premier League were pushed back again in March 2025 due to a record eight-minute VAR check during an FA Cup match between Bournemouth and Wolves. This is because the offside check was too complex for SAOT to simulate, and players were blocking the system’s camera.
With this in mind, instead of being introduced into the Premier League after the international break, the rollout of SAOT has been paused yet again. That said, with more and more competitions embracing this technology, it might not be long before it’s a mainstay of the football leagues.