Reports show that Italy’s Serie A is set to introduce semi-automatic offside technology to help VAR. La Gazzetta dello Sport states that there have been discussions to incorporate the technology since October.
Serie A would be the first domestic league to use semi-automatic offside technology. However, the UEFA Champions League already uses the schedule.
Semi-automatic offside uses a sensor inside the ball to match cameras in the stadium. The merge takes information at a rate of 500 data points per second. There is a defined moment when the ball is kicked, and that lines up with the cameras to distinguish where players are using dots on their body.
While this feature is in the early stages of use, there has been mixed opinion on the technology.
Semi-automated offside arrives in Serie A
VAR decisions using semi-automated offside technology look much more appealing to fans, both at home on TV and inside the stadium. Instead of tiny lines along the pitch, the technology uses a 3D representation of the offside situation. It’s clear and uncomplicated, a trait it doesn’t share with the typical color lines of VAR offside decisions. Also, a final offside determination generally takes less time with the new technology.
In Brugge vs #Bayer04, UEFA’s new semi-automatic offside technology said Patrik Schick was offside.
It’s a ridiculous decision. The offside margin was infinitesimal. The IFAB needs to change the law so that there is “clear light” between the attacker and the defender to be offside. pic.twitter.com/OntfxZ6gYB
— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) September 8, 2022
However, there have been some complaints about this new system. Bayer Leverkusen thought they had leveled the score against Club Brugge last Wednesday and took a vital point along the way. However, semi-automatic offside technology ruled striker Patrik Schick offside when he put the ball into the back of the net. Replays showed the Czech international was sidelined by the extreme edge of his boot. Brugge won the match 1-0.
The controversy is the cause of Serie A seeking semi-automatic offside technology. Last weekend, Arkadiusz Milik thought he had scored Juventus’ winning goal in added time against Salernitana. The referee decided, with the help of VAR, that Leonardo Bonucci was offside during the goal. Replays suggest that Salernitana midfielder Antonio Candreva was out near the corner flag and possibly kept the entire Juventus team in play. However, in the end, the Italian giants tied the match 2-2.
Semi-automatic offside technology would have detected Candreva and probably helped make the right decision.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Independent Photography Agency
