The Premier League is set to implement semi-automated offside decision-making this season, utilising a cutting-edge computer vision system developed by Genius Sports. Announced on Wednesday, every Premier League team will incorporate this advanced technology in their stadiums.
The new system, driven by the GeniusIQ platform, will significantly enhance the accuracy and speed of offside decisions. Unlike traditional methods that rely on human operators to manually assess player positioning, the Genius Sports system uses automatic body tracking to provide quicker and more reliable results. The system can generate detailed renderings of players, the ball, and the "offside wall" within seconds.
These visuals can be displayed on television broadcasts or in the stadium, with officials receiving the correct decision via earpiece. Despite its automation, a human referee is still required to assess player involvement in the play and other specific details, ensuring the decision-making process remains only semi-automated.
"This is a seismic moment for our business," said Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, in a statement.
The Premier League's decision to upgrade its review process follows a controversial incident last season when the video assistant referee (VAR) system mistakenly disallowed a Liverpool goal against Tottenham due to "significant human error." The error, which played a role in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat, drew widespread criticism and highlighted the need for more reliable technology.
Genius Sports has been developing skeletal tracking for UK soccer players since 2022.
Last week, the company secured the data rights for English soccer through the 2029 season. Beyond the Premier League, Genius Sports' technology is also used in data-rich broadcasts and fantasy sports applications, as well as by the WNBA in the United States, where it tracks metrics like paint touches and contest quality.
The GeniusIQ platform represents the full integration of Second Spectrum, a company acquired by Genius Sports for $200 million in 2021. This new technology marks a significant step forward in the Premier League's ongoing efforts to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of its officiating systems.
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