The Premier League is under fire for its officiating but cannot implement semi-automated offside technology, like that used in the Champions League and at the World Cup
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Jurgen Klopp calls for Spurs match to be replayed after VAR mistake
The Premier League cannot press ahead with plans to implement an automated offside system because of its contract with Nike.
The Champions League and Qatar World Cup have implemented semi-automated offside systems which use cameras, limb-tracking technology and artificial intelligence to make decisions without the need for humans to draw lines. It is designed to reduce delays and improve accuracy – something which is in the spotlight following the high-profile mistake in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Tottenham on the weekend.
Luis Diaz was adjudged to have been offside by the assistant referee before scoring the opening goal and the incorrect on-field decision was not changed by VAR. The PGMOL has since released the audio around the incident, which showed how VAR Darren England made the shocking mistake not to overturn the call and award Liverpool the lead.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for the match to be replayed due to the “unprecedented” severity of the mistake. His demands are sure to fall on deaf ears at the Premier League, who are also unable to act and implement a semi-automated offside system.
The Daily Mail reports that the league’s commercial deal with Nike is problematic because it is rivals Adidas who have pioneered the technology which was used in Qatar. German analytics company Kinexon are behind the tech and have worked with FIFA and UEFA, but cannot put their chips inside Nike products.
Alternative technologies are being worked upon, which won’t require a chip inside the ball – like in the Champions League and Europa League – but nothing is imminent. It will not be implemented before the start of next season because clubs rejected the idea last year.
The Premier League uses a Nike ball (
Image:
Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images)
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Italy’s Serie A voted to bring in semi-automated offside systems in the middle of their 2022/23 season. But the Premier League’s policy is that such material changes can only be made out of competition.
Officiating in the Premier League is currently under the microscope after the Diaz disallowed goal. The PGMOL has apologised to Liverpool and carried out a review of the incident, which promised to implement changes.
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They said the need for efficiency should not come at the expense of accuracy and promised a “new VAR Communication Protocol will be developed to enhance the clarity of communication between the referee and the VAR team in relation to on-field decisions”. A new step to the VAR process will also be added in an attempt to prevent the kind of mix-up which occurred in the Liverpool game.
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