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.
In a significant development for Nigerian football, former Super Eagles winger Finidi George has been appointed as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team.
This decision, announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, follows the endorsement of its Technical and Development Committee.
George, a 52-year-old former player for Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis, previously served as an assistant to outgoing coach José Santos Peseiro.
He took on the role of interim coach after Peseiro’s departure following the Super Eagles’ impressive performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
During his interim tenure, George oversaw two friendly matches in Morocco, where the team secured a historic 2-1 victory against Ghana but suffered a 0-2 loss to Mali.
The NFF statement reads, “George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged as the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year, won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.”
The statement commemorating George’s appointment as the new head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team also paid tribute to his esteemed playing career.
It underscored George’s remarkable achievements, including securing gold, silver, and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000, and 2002 AFCON tournaments.
Additionally, the statement fondly recalled one of George’s defining moments when he assisted Rashidi Yekini, may he rest in peace, in netting Nigeria’s inaugural FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA, on June 19, 1994.
The newly appointed Super Eagles boss faces an immediate challenge as he prepares to lead the team in two pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic.
Set to take place in Uyo and Abidjan within the next five weeks, these matches are deemed must-win encounters, as emphasized by the Nigeria Football Federation statement.
With the Super Eagles currently trailing behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign, behind Rwanda and South Africa, securing victories in these upcoming fixtures is imperative for the team’s advancement in the competition.
Thiago Silva has confirmed his departure from Chelsea, marking the end of his four-year journey at Stamford Bridge.
The announcement was shared on the club’s official website on Monday.
In a poignant farewell message to the fans, Thiago reflected, “Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.”
‘My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.
‘I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end.
“I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here. But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.”
Barcelona has been fined 25,000 euros ($26,680) by UEFA on Thursday for the racist conduct of their fans during the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Alongside the fine, Barcelona faces a suspended ban on selling tickets to their supporters for their next away European match.
The tie concluded with Barcelona’s defeat, losing 6-4 on aggregate after PSG secured a 4-1 victory in the second leg.
Following the incident, Paris police questioned two individuals after videos emerged on social media showing one fan making monkey noises and another performing Nazi salutes at the Parc des Princes on April 10th.
UEFA said “The UEFA Appeals Body has decided to fine FC Barcelona 25,000 euros and to ban the FC Barcelona from selling tickets to its away supporters for its next UEFA competition match, for the racist behaviour of its supporters.
“Said ban from selling tickets to its away supporters is suspended for a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision.” It added
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