Courtesy: FA Cup
The English domestic comeptition, FA Cup, will see a new semi-automated offside technology placed for the upcoming fifth round of the tournament this season. Starting next month, it will be used in all the eight matches of the next round of the competition. This AI-based offside technology was supposed to be introduced before Christmas. However, it ran into complications during testing.
Following recent developments, Premier League chief executive Tony Scholes announced last week that the technology will be deployed first in the FA Cup, which is in its last-16 stage. Notably, Preston North End against Burnley is the only fifth-round game not featuring a Premier League team.
In a joint statement released by Premier League and PGMOL, it said, "Semi-Automated Offside Technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters. The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process."
Upgrade in the football game with the introduction of new technology
The introduction of AI-based technology in the Premier League is a big leap. Earlier, the technology was used in the Champions League and other international games, and it has been tested throughout the last two seasons before being brought to the English game. Besides, it was used in the World Cup for the first season after FA Cup. VAR will also be used in all eight of the competition's fifth-round fixtures, including Preston versus Burnley.
It was not used in the previous round, full of contentious rulings. Besides this tool, an in-stadium VAR announcement will be in place for the fifth round by the referee to explain the decisions taken to the stadium's supporters. The upcoming FA Cup fifth round will be played on March 1-2, with four all-Premier League ties.
