Semi-automated offside technology may not be launched in the Premier League until next year, despite October being the original target date for the move.
It is hoped the use of semi-automated decision-making around offside calls will greatly improve the VAR process – and avoid the sort of row seen after Leicester City’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace earlier this month.
Foxes boss Steve Cooper attributed “an awful human error” for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta being ruled onside when scoring against the Foxes at Selhurst Park on September 14. The game eventually ended 2-2 and Cooper was so aggrieved by the goal that club officials held a meeting with the Premier League for clarification. It is understood that he has since been reprimanded by the FA for claiming “false images” were used by VAR to award Mateta’s goal.
The introduction of the technology was approved by clubs in April and had been set to be brought in after one of this autumn’s international windows.
However, the PA news agency understands that the system may not be ready by mid-November and could go into the winter before being implemented.
Premier League bosses sought to ‘manage expectations’ on the launch date among clubs at a meeting held in central London on Thursday, with testing of the system ongoing. They believe the technology could speed up the length of the average VAR check for offside by 31 seconds.
Clubs were also given a largely positive update on officiating and reminded about their obligations around player behaviour.
It is understood there was no pushback from clubs regarding the league spending more than £45million on legal costs. There was recognition that the spending is necessary to uphold the league’s rules, and is a small fraction of the £10billion the league is set to earn in television revenues over the next three years.
It comes amid reports in the Telegraph that clubs are increasingly concerned that huge spending on legal bills could start to encroach on the amount they each received from the Premier League each season.
The exclusive report adds: “Those costs are paid out of central Premier League funds which means that all clubs bear them equally. While clubs have been keen to have PSR enforced in a recent run of cases that has seen clubs rein in spending, the cost has been considerable in terms of legal cases.”
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