New offside technology put on hold as Premier League opts for more testing
System not deemed ready for expected autumn roll-outVote delayed on rules challenged by Manchester City
The introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is to be delayed, with a system officials regard as crucial to improving the performance of the video assistant referee system not set for use in Premier League matches before the new year.
Professional Game Match Officials Ltd’s chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb, had wanted the technology introduced this autumn and expectations were that it would be implemented after the October international break. Club officials were told by the Premier League at a shareholders’ meeting on Thursday that this would no longer be the case.
