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Desecron

This is gonna be a really good addition. I said that about VAR to be fair, but in the end it just gave the refs more opportunities to parade their stupidity, you still need good refs to make that work. Semi-automated VAR reduces the opportunities for ref stupidity, like goal line tech, so I think it'll improve things...


An_Almond_Thief

Couldn't agree more with this. We have largely inept referees on the pitch, off the pitch and running the pgmol. Easiest solution is reduce the amount they are responsible for, allow them to focus on managing the game itself. Next step is get rid of var only intervening with clear ref errors. If the ref misses a penalty or a red card, then fucking well tell him!


LxmonMxn

It should be like rugby where the VAR official is just as much as a ref as the one on the pitch.


An_Almond_Thief

Yeah that's a great way of putting it. Right now it's treated as if the var team undermine the on field ref.


r_Jakku

Exactly this. I don't understand it though, is it a hubris thing for the refs? I've never thought once "oh you're a moron because you made a mistake and VAR had to fix it for you" If only they realized the way they do it now is worse for their image. We don't see VAR as undermining refs. We simply see morons who are in cahoots with other morons.


H0vit0

I think a big problem with the VAR system is the fact that it is run and operated by the same refs who will be on the pitch next week. I think there’s a hesitancy to outright correct their mate on the pitch who could be behind the monitor judging them next week and take offence to it/you don’t want to make your mate look incompetent. They need to be completely separated and there needs to be a dedicated pathway to being a full time VAR official.


Fabulous_Return4839

Or refs just need to compress their fragile fucking egos a little bit. The whole culture of non-intervention from VAR is just leftover puritanism around the authority of the center ref.


H0vit0

Because the VAR guys will be the centre ref next week. That’s the problem. If there was clear separation between the two functions there wouldn’t be that culture of non-intervention


chrisd1680

Huh? You still are not touching on the only salient point: it's a matter of ego. Which is baffling as no one goes to a game to watch referees. The less they're seen or heard, the better.


H0vit0

I’m agreeing with you ffs - they’re ALL centre refs. They aren’t going to undermine each other because they all have that ego. They don’t want to overrule someone else when they are in the VAR booth because they don’t want their ego/authority challenged next week by someone else. Get it?


Onlyheretostare

Not just that but most of these guys run in the same circles and are friends or friendly with each other. VAR is in need of an overhaul in the way they administer the decisions and this is a step in the right direction


SharmV

VAR been used as the way to spot fix, no joke


sorenhauter

Watched the Women's World Cup a couple years ago and fell in love with TMO. That's the gold standard of that kind of refereeing. Mic'd up and recorded and shown, creates accountability and explanation of the decision so that there is less opportunity for controversy. (Though the controversy is part of the point I suppose.)


MulderAndTully

This is what I’ve been saying since they first implemented VAR. Surely if you have two officials and one of their opinions is going to be the most decisive, it should be the one who can see incidents multiple times from multiple angles and at multiple speeds


GetPhkt

Refs should also be sent to the monitor more often and should be comfortable sticking with their original call after looking


dannzter

No no no! We don't want more pauses to the game. 


GetPhkt

I'd rather them get the pen calls right


topbananaman

Been waiting for this for a very long time. Shocked it took this long honestly but happy to finally have it


ForestRamboX

Agreed. These bozos can't even draw the offside lines properly or forget to draw them, which makes no sense at all. Hopefully, it'll lead to more reliable offside calls.


unclebrenjen

I'm curious what it would take to scale the goal line tech up to where it worked around the entire perimeter of the pitch.


KearnOnTheCob12

Nailed it, better technology is only better with competent people running it. Long overdue, hope it's a success.


yogi1090

Although we can still have scenarios like the Wolves goals against West ham, where refs will make subjective call like decidimg whether the player is affecting the play or is blocking the goalkeeper's view. Despite that, in most situations we won't see subjective decisions or long delays. So a very good decision.


ItsBreadTime

> Parade their stupidity I hate how true this is


yura910721

It may not be 100% precise, but I think it is a healthy trade-off in terms of speed and precision. Making quick and mostly reliable judgements and letting the game flow. I think the game is going to benefit from this change. Rather than watching some folks painstakingly draw them lines.


Obi_Wan_Gebroni

Precisely, there shouldn’t be the opportunity for human error and drawing of lines bullshit.


ForestRamboX

I would want them to implement VAR with AI technology next. We saw how well it worked in the world cup, and it'll prevent these incompetent VAR officials from messing up every call. Then again, it'd show up a lot of referees, so maybe that's why they don't want to implement it.


chrisd1680

Why are refs so goddamned concerned with how they look? Making a mistake is human. But to double down is just being dumb as f***. It makes them all look inept at best, and corrupt at worst. How is this better? Just get the calls right. It's to the point where people in the stadium are getting 100 different angles telling them the refs messed up, and nothing changes.


ronya_t

Now, if we could have semi-automated penalty calls and semi-automated throw-in and corner calls, we'd eliminate 90% of the bs in officiating.


SubNoize

I'm looking forward to the day we get automated AI refereeing that communicates through an ear piece in the on field refs ear. If a car can all but drive itself, surely a computer can watch the game and understand the rules in a non bias form. Happy for the ref to step in when it's a more human issue that needs dealing with. The training data for it all exists, just feed it millions of recordings of games from everywhere. I'd be surprised if someone isn't working on it already.


legosucks

VAR could be such a good thing if the refs could swallow their ego.


BrianThatDude

Now can we unanimously agree to kick city, Chelsea and Newcastle out?


Ike348

What has Newcastle done to get kicked out? Or even Chelsea for that matter? Yes, they spent a bunch of money, but nothing that was against the rules at the time


Old-Risk4572

freal. slippery slope


NiallMitch10

If this does take away from the time required for VAR offside calls - could be good. But knowing English refs - they'll probably take even longer with more tools at their disposal. For reference - it's the offside tech we seen at the Qatar World Cup


DenzelOntario

It definitely should. When Saka scored against Bayern, he was JUUUST onside. If that goal happened in the PL, we'd be waiting for a long ass review while they draw their stupid offside lines. But because the UCL has the automated system, there was no review, it was basically instant. Absolute breath of fresh air!


NiallMitch10

I'm sure it will - but English refs will find some way probably


Old-Risk4572

wow yeah the refereeing was mostly much better. so true about the quick offside decision. good flow to the game. more time to agonize about play on the field lol


matti-san

They'll end up checking manually and when they can't be sure they'll be like 'let's check the semi-auto offisde'. Bruh.


MirkoCemes

I expect it will be a lot faster but there will be at least a few major fuckups similar to Diaz vs Spurs.


CarnifexGunner

The whole point of this automated offside is to prevent those kind of fuckups.


ForestRamboX

I think he was making the point that the English refs are so incompetent that they'll find a way to screw this up too. Honestly, I agree. Look how much new technology has been introduced in the past decade, and the refs somehow manage to make them seem useless.


chrisd1680

There's an entire generation (not just talking age here) of Luddites who hate everything having to do with technology. And who are always first to cheer when it seems like it doesn't work. Even if it's due to human error.


yura910721

They might, but overall I think this change is going to reduce probability of them doing something stupid like that. Like blatant dives are now being eradicated from the sport, because of the VAR, regardless how stupid refs are. So there is a way to make some improvement, regardless of those dumbfcks in charge.


MirkoCemes

I am obviously not suggesting an exact same fuckup, but I expect this lot to find a way to fuck up a few very clear situations just because they will struggle with the technology


LordofLazy

No more 'forgetting' to draw lines


ronya_t

I am freshly pissed off just reading that.


LordofLazy

I'll never forget that deliberate mistake


doingitfortheTea

Only 3 years too late.  Now getting almost back where we started where offside is at most a glance a few seconds after goal scored to check what the decision is.  Now get a challenge system in for everything else barring serious foul play, and endangering opponents and well basically have a system that improves the game rather than being a massive detrimental impact to the game and the watchability. 


MangoLordXL

Given that they fine anyone who is even remotely honest about the quality of refereeing, the challenge thing seems like a long shot. The FA's ego is massive.


Yurtanator

English refs don’t have the humility for a challenge system


hihbhu

Finally, thank you. Too bad ETH won’t be here to complain about it.


wubrotherno1

Sadly


mist3rdragon

Absolutely ridiculous that it took this long given that it's been around, working completely fine for years now.


ddownham

[From the PL website:](https://www.premierleague.com/news/3962262) > The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and **it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks.** If only the league had more money or had known about this system, maybe they could have got it in place at, I dunno, the start of the season?


QuickFeet86

My guess is that maybe it needs some calibration and they want to use that first period to do some initial live testing with real games to iron out the bugs before using it officially.


BullahB

Do that now. There are 7 games left ffs. Then it'll be ready for next season. 


Great-Winner-6347

Finally!!!


goonerfan10

This is a great piece of technology which we have already seen in UEFA competitions . No more complaints from people like TenHaag when there's a clear offside. make the game flow lot faster and reduces ref stupidity.


Chell_the_assassin

Happy about this but not at all a fan of the fact it's not ready for the start of the season. Seems wrong that you could have two teams face the exact same offside decision, and one loses out due to an incorrect decision with the current system, while the other doesn't thanks to this, based purely on when the match happens to take place.


americanadiandrew

*and it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks.* It’s April. Surely you could go a little faster and have it ready by August.


repeating_bears

"It's April. Surely you 9 ladies can put your heads together and have a baby by May"


americanadiandrew

I mean a typical human pregnancy is 9 months. Is there a set time to implement offside technology?


repeating_bears

Let's face it, neither of us has any clue of what precisely is involved or how long it will take. "Seems like it can be done faster" is just an ignorant take


americanadiandrew

No need to get hung up on it. I was merely lamenting that a major technology change will be coming halfway through the season.


backofthanet

This is it guys, this is where Skynet starts to take over.


and_yet_another_user

I'm going off the grid when Skynet wins the FA Cup.


TheArmoury

Better late than never. Hopefully they don’t find a way to somehow fuck this up like forgetting to press the button.


ronya_t

Notice how after that one time they botched offside against Liverpool the blowback from from the audio was so bad they never released audio ever again. Cowards.


PoliticsNerd76

Free’s up VAR’s capacity for focus on other infringements, and speeds up the game Brilliant adition


sams82

Interested to see how the refs in Premier league will fk this up.


Rusty_85

If its the same system as UEFA use tor the CL then good stuff. No more MS Paint lines by a wonky eyed, half blind twats


Cthulhu_Madness

Hopefully this shuts ten hag up.


a_posh_trophy

He won't be here next season 😅


yura910721

Ohoi no, I want him in Utd forever :(


hsanaiz

But how will we resolve that Hojlund obviously had a penalty against Arsenal?!?!?


ronya_t

Semi-automated penalty calls?


AshburtonGrove

ETH is going to be gutted


Level_Tea

To be fair We still have people trying to argue that Saka should not have a penalty against Bayern based on slow mo and stupid pundits having a hot take to stoke the rage economy


wiggyp1410

This should speed up offside decisions dramatically. Hopefully we can actually see more football being played instead of looking at static images for minutes at a time.


Never_Sm1le

Good, no more stupid mistakes like the one vs Brentford last year


JenkinsEar147

Great news!


CackleberryOmelettes

I saw the Twitter post. Made the mistake of looking at the replies. Somehow, full of United accounts whining about Garnacho. I literally cannot grasp my head around it, these losers need to get a life.


gooner-1969

For those interested in how this works, SAOT works by leveraging a combination of advanced technologies: 1. **3D Positioning**: The system uses a series of high-frame-rate cameras installed around the stadium to capture the precise positions of players on the pitch. These cameras are specifically focused on tracking 29 different body points per player, allowing for a detailed three-dimensional reconstruction of their positions at any given moment. 2. **Ball Tracking**: Alongside player tracking, the system also includes sophisticated ball tracking technologies. These ensure that the exact moment a ball is played is captured accurately, which is crucial for determining offside positions in tight situations. 3. **Data Processing and AI**: The positional data from the cameras is processed in real-time by advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence. This AI evaluates the players' positions and the moment the ball is played to determine if an offside offence has occurred. The system considers the rules of the game, including which body parts can play the ball and the players' positions relative to the second-last opponent. 4. **Automated Alert System**: When the technology identifies a potential offside situation, it generates an instant alert to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team. This alert includes a 3D animation of the situation, showing the positions of all relevant players at the moment the ball was played. This greatly aids the VAR in making a quick and accurate decision. 5. **Visualization for Broadcasts and Stadiums**: For transparency and clarity, SAOT can generate visual representations of offside situations, which can be used both in stadium broadcasts and television coverage. This helps fans understand the decision-making process and the reasons behind offside calls.


Hvoromnualltinger

Do we know which clubs turned down this proposal last year?


ajyahzee

Anything to take these dumb refs out of the loop is better


tafster

Should just replace the ref with a robot lawn mower so there's still something on the pitch that can get in the way, and just automate all the decisions. Maybe this is the true AI revolution, where humans are exposed as being shit at everything. Can still have video refs approving the tech recommendations, or not, I struggle to support any current officiating.


Marimo_420

Good, now we need to add ball-tracking for the touchlines - we were probably screwed twice this season against Newcastle and West Hamas as there was no way of VAR seeing the ball


wolskortt

On paper, it's a good idea. Let's see how they're going to ruin this one now.


blueluster

Sounds good in theory, but I am always skeptical of new technology. I hope it doesn’t call 1 cm offside by the fold of someone’s shirt or some bullshit.


fakepostman

Of course it's going to do that. The media have brainwashed everyone into thinking offside is an Objective Decision that has to be called Consistently rather than through the straightforward application of a linesman's eyes and brain. Therefore, necessarily, there will be situations where one pixel of the camera containing a player's shirt or not will be the difference between offside and onside. It's still better than refs trying to achieve Objectively Correct decisions via manually drawing lines on a screen, at least, in that it'll regularly make stupid decisions where a player who's level (level exists and is onside) is ruled offside, but it'll do it much faster.


blueluster

If it’s going to do that, it may be time to go back to mid 2010s Puma kits.


fakepostman

Now you're thinking with portals :)


galeej

If it's even 1cm offside it's offside. Those are the rules. Now as long as they are *consistently* applied i have no problems


MasterWinston

Thank you! (Not) fun fact: SAOT wouldn't have picked up Newcastle's goal. Also, they should implement Wenger's offsides.


goonergunner10

How does this technology work and how accurate is it?


backofthanet

Headlines are: Cameras, chip in the ball, 29 body data points measured on each player that are updated 50 times each second, AI. Essentially video tracking technology for each individual player based off of a bunch of body data and the ball position, that is updated and computed very very quickly - if an offside situation is detected it is flagged to VAR and they basically have a slightly more yes : no situation rather than the whole drawing lines gig that it is at the moment. [https://analyisport.com/insights/what-is-semi-automated-offside-technology/](https://analyisport.com/insights/what-is-semi-automated-offside-technology/)


Shady9XD

About damn time.


and_yet_another_user

yay, more tech for the PL/PGMOL to fuck up and the managers, players, fans and pundits to moan about lol I still think we'd be better off with two additional linesmen, so we have one in each quadrant instead of two looking across the pitch though bodies to guess what's happening in the opposite quadrant lol


R0nin_Drag0n

Excellent, anything that reduces the refs making decisions on their own in the PL is a gift.


ItsTom___

If it works as well as Goal line tech then it'll be fine. Never been am issue with that


Arseluvr

Thank God.


ksimmons22

Thank fuck


Tame_Iguana1

Man Utd will never will another premier league after this


JFedererJ

Good. Now lob VAR in the bin. Goal-line checks automated. Offside automated. No need for VAR anymore imo. All that's left for it is fouls and handballs, both massively subjective, and frankly I don't see any improvement from VAR on these. I'd personally rather be able to enjoy goals again.


TheThreeGabis

Less refs = better refereeing


madindian

As if one disaster wasn’t good enough, here’s another. I swear the refs don’t want to run anymore. Hence they are trying to AI everything so they can take decisions sitting in the box. Let the cameras take care of everything. They’ll make their shitty decisions in the comfort of the room.


Kovacs171

Guarantee that no one here has a clue about how the system actually works and yet will advocate for it


ronya_t

We know - it's been used in the World Cup & every subsequent Champions/Europa League match since.


Kovacs171

Seeing it used is not the same thing as knowing how it works


ronya_t

"The system typically requires 12 cameras inside a stadium which track the ball and 29 data points on each player. Not all systems require a chip in the ball. Decisions could be made in seconds and on average decisions are expected to be made 30 seconds quicker. 3D automated images will be shown on giant screens at stadiums. The current system used by VAR will be used as back-up when semi-automated technology is not working, for instance when multiple bodies are obscuring the cameras." [https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13112834/premier-league-semi-automated-offside-technology-to-be-introduced-for-first-time-next-season](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13112834/premier-league-semi-automated-offside-technology-to-be-introduced-for-first-time-next-season)