IT TECHS TIME
Premier League clubs fear huge delay to introducting semi-automated offsides amid concerns over major glitch
Former Barcelona star Deco recently suggested another system is needed as a backup
PREM clubs fear the promised semi-automated offside technology may not now be introduced until NEXT season.
Clubs agreed to bring in the system this term at their April meeting after Prem chiefs agreed a deal with US-based Genius Sports.
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At the time, it was announced that the new system would not be available until after one of the autumn international breaks.
That was to ensure thorough testing of Genius’ system of 28 special cameras, which utilise “mesh tracking” of 10,000-plus data points on the surface of each player rather than the limb and skeletal tracking concepts used by Uefa and Fifa.
Earlier this season, it was confirmed that more testing was required before Prem bosses could give the green light, with the introduction of the technology pushed back until after Christmas.
But club bosses anticipate they will be told this week that they should not expect all the remaining wrinkles to be ironed out in time for the system to run live before the end of the season.
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An update from PGMOL and the Prem executive is due to discuss the current state of play amid concerns about semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) which were heightened in Spain before the international break.
A glitch in the system used in La Liga meant Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski was wrongly ruled offside after scoring against Sociedad when a defender’s boot was mis-identified as being worn by the Polish striker.
Barca sporting director Deco spoke about the decision after the game and suggested that another system is needed as a back up.
He said: "I don't think VAR, and not just because of this game, has fixed what in theory it was going to fix.
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"I don't understand if it's semi-automatic, not automatic, if someone has to press the button.
"It's like having a car and not knowing if it's automatic, if it's hybrid … someone will have to explain it to us.
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"Why is it semi-automatic? I am lost. I still don't know if the boots were yellow [Lewandowski's] or black [Sociedad defender Nayef Aguerd's].
"We don't want to go there because we don't want excuses, but there's a question: what happened?
"Where's the error occurred, if there's an error? If not, no problem, but we need an explanation because we're lost with what semi-automatic means.
"If there's an involvement from VAR, if the referee really can't do anything.
"If the semi-automatic system doesn't work, then we need to return to another system. This isn't a Barca issue, it's about improvements for all teams.
"Some things have improved, but in other areas we still have one person's interpretation. We still have controversial decisions, like the one at (Real Sociedad's ground) Anoeta on Sunday, which was probably incorrect."
Prem bosses want to ensure the new system is foolproof before its introduction although the delay after the pre-season promises are an embarrassment.
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