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Premier League's Offside Tech Sparks Controversy Over Accuracy

1/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Premier League's semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) sparked controversy after Florian Wirtz scored for Liverpool.
The SAOT ruled the goal onside despite TV images suggesting offside, citing a 5cm tolerance.
Critics say SAOT's accuracy could lead to more incorrect decisions and confuse fans.
The system's presentation of offside calls hides the true nature of judgments, adding to misunderstandings.

History

Historical Context

FIFA introduced the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in 2012 to improve decision-making in football, following extensive trials that began in the early 2010s. Despite its implementation at the 2018 World Cup, where it achieved a 99.3% success rate, VAR has faced criticism for causing confusion among fans, with 70% expressing uncertainty about its use, highlighting ongoing challenges in balancing accuracy and viewer engagement.

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Story summary

The Premier League's semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) sparked controversy after Florian Wirtz scored for Liverpool.
The SAOT ruled the goal onside despite TV images suggesting offside, citing a 5cm tolerance.
Critics say SAOT's accuracy could lead to more incorrect decisions and confuse fans.
The system's presentation of offside calls hides the true nature of judgments, adding to misunderstandings.

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