The Premier League have finally rolled out a new technology that was agreed upon a year ago across all fixtures this weekend.

St. James’ Park will be amongst the first 10 grounds to implement the new PGMOL directive when Newcastle United face Manchester United in the 16:30 kick off today. 

Three points will be the aim for Eddie Howe’s side as they look to stretch their winning run to five and continue their Champions League charge, let’s just hope the headlines aren’t taken by an unsuccessful implementation of the ref’s latest gadget! 

Premier League confirm new technology

The Premier League has confirmed that semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) will be introduced for this weekend’s fixtures, including the Toon’s clash with Manchester United.

Clubs voted in the technology last April with the hopes of cutting down the time it takes for VAR to come to conclusions for offside calls, however trials have seen its rollout pushed back from the Autumn for more trials.

Previously seen at the Qatar World Cup, the technology has been used in the Champions League since 2022/23, in Italy’s Serie A since January 2023, and was introduced in Spain’s La Liga at the start of the current campaign.

Already seen in the FA Cup this season, disallowing Fabian Schar’s injury time equaliser against Brighton, the Premier League finally feel ready to roll the technology out after non-live testing in recent months.

A statement said: “The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology this weekend, on Saturday 12 April, after non-live testing in the Premier League and live operation in the FA Cup this season.

“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, efficiency and consistency of the process.

“The Premier League has worked in collaboration with PGMOL and sports data and technology company Genius Sports to develop a new semi-automated offside technology system – and this will be its first use in a live competition.”

Quicker decisions = happier fans!

Not that anything is ever straightforward when it comes to implementing the new technology, SAOT should reduce the wait time between a goal being given and a decision being made for an offside call.

Of course, this was not the case in the most high profile case of SAOT being used in one of the trial games in the FA Cup this season – the officials unable to rely on the technology leading to a record eight-minute VAR stoppage in Bournemouth vs Wolves to disallow Milos Kerkez’s goal.

Hopefully this is an anomaly, and not a reflection of how each game will be impacted. PGMOL don’t have much credit in the bank at the moment, and this is an opportunity to finally amend some of the issues fans, particularly in the stadium, have been having with VAR.

Come to the correct decision as quickly as possible, and let the game play on. That’s the task for the officials that should become easier with this new aide.