Sports
EPL Clubs Approves SAOT For 2024-25 Season
European Premier League clubs have given their full backing to the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) for the 2024-25 season.
The decision, announced by the Premier League, is set to see the implementation of the system following an international break in September or October.
SAOT, previously deployed by FIFA during the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar, is designed to refine offside rulings.
SAOT is expected to reduce the duration of a video assistant referee (VAR) check for offside by approximately 31 seconds.
The Premier League stated that this state-of-the-art technology will deliver faster and more consistent placement of the virtual offside line, utilizing optical player tracking.
Additionally, the league highlighted that SAOT will generate high-quality broadcast graphics, aiming to enhance the experience for both stadium attendees and television viewers.
One objective is to introduce the technology for FA Cup matches hosted by Premier League clubs next season, as well as for the semi-finals and final at Wembley Stadium.
However, decisions regarding whether a player in an offside position is interfering with play, or if a defensive player’s contact with the ball is deliberate and keeps an attacker onside, will still rely on the subjective judgment of the on-field referee.
SAOT was previously tested at the 2021 Arab Cup and Club World Cup, where it was estimated to have reduced the time required for offside VAR decisions from 70 to 25 seconds.
Despite these efforts to improve accuracy and efficiency, the use of VAR for offside calls remains a contentious issue in the top flight, with several high-profile incidents sparking debate in recent seasons.
In September, a breakdown in communication resulted in VAR failing to overturn an erroneous decision to disallow a goal by Luis Diaz for offside during Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham.
The absence of semi-automated technology in the Premier League this season, despite its use in the Champions League and FIFA competitions, has been a source of frustration for some.
League officials emphasize that while the technology, tested and analyzed throughout the current campaign, will not eradicate delays entirely, it should expedite decisions, especially for the marginal calls that currently seem to linger indefinitely.
It’s being asserted that the average reduction will be 31 seconds.
Similar to goalline technology, the implementation of SAOT should instill greater confidence in decision-making processes and minimize the chances of missed offsides.
While it’s widely accepted that perfection isn’t achievable in football, this advancement should diminish the potential for errors.
However, the current manual crosshair placement will still be accessible as a backup in case SAOT encounters any technical issues.
Former Belgian international footballer, Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday in connection with a large-scale investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.
The arrest followed a series of raids conducted across Belgium in the early hours of the morning. Several suspects were detained, including Nainggolan, as part of the operation.
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
Further details regarding the case have not yet been made public.
Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-division club Lokeren. The midfielder made his debut over the weekend, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.
The former national team star enjoyed a decorated career, earning 30 caps and scoring six goals for Belgium. He also played for top Italian clubs, including Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. However, his stint there ended in early 2023, following a series of controversies.
Known for his brash personality and off-field incidents, Nainggolan was suspended in late 2022 after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
No timeline has been given for further proceedings.
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International F.C., will be flying into Maiduguri, Borno State, for their crucial Matchday 21 clash against the President Federation Cup holders, El-Kanemi Warriors F.C.
Biztellers reports that the Flying Antelopes would be flown by Max Air.
Inside sources at the Enugu Rangers have it that following a disappointing home loss in their previous match, the “Flying Antelopes” are determined to regain their winning form.
It was gathered that a 27-man delegation will depart Abuja on Monday morning for the short flight to Maiduguri, with the match scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th, 2025.
ALSO READ: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
The team aims to swiftly move past their recent setback against Niger Tornadoes and climb back up the league table.
“We are heading to Maiduguri with the sole objective of securing a positive result and keeping pace with the front-runners,” declared team captain, Ugwueze Chinemerem. “We have analyzed our previous match and are fully focused on regaining the lost ground.”
It’s worth noting that in the reverse fixture earlier this season on August 31st, 2024, Rangers and El-Kanemi played to a goalless draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will learn their group-stage opponents today as the draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) takes center stage in Morocco.
The tournament, hosted by the North African nation for the second time since 1988, is set to be one of the most spectacular editions in AFCON history.
In 1988, the competition featured just eight teams, but this year, 24 nations will compete for Africa’s biggest football prize.
READ MORE: Super Eagles Secure Spot In AFCON 2025 After Rwanda’s Loss
Nigeria, placed in Pot 1, will avoid fellow top-seeded teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire in the group stage.
However, they could face challenging sides from Pot 2, including Cameroon, Mali, and Tunisia.
This year’s AFCON promises to be grander than ever before, featuring more teams than the 1988 edition, and a thrilling opening ceremony.
The ceremony will showcase some of the biggest names in African football history, with legends such as Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma, Tunisia’s Aymen Mathlouthi, and Ivory Coast’s Gervinho set to grace the event.
Adding to the excitement, a musical extravaganza will take place, with performances from Morocco’s Hatim Ammor, Congolese sensation Maître Gims, and renowned Moroccan music producer RedOne.
Recall that on Saturday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the official logo for AFCON 2025.
The design reflects Morocco’s rich cultural heritage, featuring the AFCON trophy adorned with zellige, the traditional Moroccan mosaic art, symbolizing the country’s unique blend of tradition and modernity.
The 24 qualified nations have been divided into four pots based on their FIFA rankings:
Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
The draw will place these teams into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage, promising thrilling action throughout the tournament.
Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, will aim to extend its dominance.
Côte d’Ivoire, the defending champions, have lifted the trophy three times, while Cameroon boasts five titles. Nigeria, with three championships, and Algeria, with two, are also strong contenders.
Morocco, the hosts, will look to replicate their 1976 triumph, their only AFCON victory.
Back then, the tournament followed a unique format, with the top four teams from the group stage playing in a final round-robin.
Morocco emerged victorious in Ethiopia, but this time, they will aim to claim the title on home soil in front of their passionate fans.
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