The FA Cup fifth round in March will serve as the testing ground for semi-automated offside technology (SAOT).
This marks the first time the technology will be used in competitive matches in the country.
Seven of the eight fifth-round ties will utilize SAOT, with the exception of Preston North End versus Burnley at Deepdale.
The FA confirmed that Deepdale is the only venue not equipped with the necessary Premier League stadium infrastructure to support the system.
If the trial proves successful, the Premier League is poised to integrate SAOT into the top flight at a later date.
This move follows unanimous approval from Premier League clubs in April for the technology’s implementation from the 2024-25 season.
Extensive trials have been conducted over the past two seasons, including offline testing during select Premier League fixtures.
“The new technology will be introduced in the fifth round of the FA Cup in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season,” an official FA statement read.
Premier League Chief Football Officer, Tony Scholes, recently expressed optimism about the technology’s introduction to the top flight before the current season concludes.
“We are still testing it and making significant progress,” Scholes stated. “I’m hopeful that at some point this season we will be able to introduce semi-automated technology.”
He emphasized the league’s commitment to thorough testing, stating, “We are not going to introduce it if we’ve got any doubts at all with regards to its operation. The system we’ve adopted, we believe it to be the best system, the most accurate and future-proof system.”
SAOT employs specialized cameras that track the movements of all 22 players, providing real-time offside verdicts.
This technology aims to eliminate the lengthy delays associated with manually calibrating offside lines, a common frustration for players, coaches, and fans.
SAOT has already been adopted by major international competitions, including the 2022 Men’s World Cup and the UEFA Champions League since the 2022-23 season.
England has used cup competitions this season to trial other officiating technologies, such as in-stadium VAR announcements, which were piloted in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and are expected to be introduced to the Premier League next season.
In addition to the SAOT trial, the FA confirmed that all eight FA Cup fifth-round matches will utilize Video Assistant Referees (VAR) and feature in-stadium VAR announcements.
The FA Cup fifth round is scheduled for the weekend of March 1st.
