All 20 Premier League clubs agree to VAR change after Liverpool controversy | Football | Sport

Premier League clubs have voted unanimously in favour of introducing semi-automated offside technology for next season. The technology, which has already been used in other elite competitions for a couple of seasons, is due to arrive in England after some high-profile offside errors.

Liverpool star Luis Diaz had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside in a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham earlier this season. It prompted calls for the Premier League to adopt the semi-automated technology.

A statement read: « At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology.

« 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.

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« The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters. »

Semi-automated offsides were used to great success during the 2022 World Cup. The Italian Serie A then adopted the technology in January 2023 after calls for it to be introduced following a series of controversial errors.

Spanish football authorities have already announced that La Liga will use semi-automated offsides for the 2024-25 season. The Premier League has now followed Serie A and La Liga.

Clubs hope that the technology will speed up the process of deciding whether there has been an offside offence in the build up to a goal. Managers, players and supporters have all provided feedback about the length of time that can be taken to confirm a decision.