Premier League to use upcoming Crystal Palace fixture to debut new rule

The Premier League has confirmed the semi-automatic offside technology will be introduced from Saturday, April 12 following testing in the FA Cup this season.

The technology will not be in use for the next round of top flight fixtures this weekend but will be wheeled in for Matchweek 32, which begins with Crystal Palace visiting the Champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. That match, which is to be broadcast live on TNT Sports, will be the first time semi-automatic offside technology is used in the Premier League.

The league has tested the software in ‘non-live’ formats during Premier League matches and it came into use in the FA Cup fifth round, during which Crystal Palace beat Millwall at Selhurst Park. That was the first time the technology had been used in English football.

Premier League confirms semi-automatic offside to be used

A statement from the Premier League on Tuesday read: “The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology on Saturday 12 April (Match Round 32). This follows non-live testing in the Premier League and live operation in the FA Cup this season. Semi-automated offside technology automates key elements of the offside decision-making process to support the video assistant referee (VAR).

“It provides more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, using optical player tracking, and generates virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans. The technology maintains the integrity of the process while enhancing the speed, efficiency, and consistency of offside decision-making. The Premier League has worked in collaboration with PGMOL and sports data and technology company Genius Sports to develop the new semi-automated offside technology system.”

Man City v Crystal Palace to be first match with technology

Speaking last week, Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes said that ‘significant progress’ had been made on the system over the last four to six weeks with it coming into use during the FA Cup. He said: "The system that we've adopted, we believe it to be the best system.

"We believe it to be the most accurate and the most future-proof system as well. I have to confess, given the difficulties that we had over the first few months of the season, I had severe doubts about this but the progress made over the last four to six weeks has been significant.

"The operation of semi-automated offside technology does not change the integrity of the offside law and doesn't change the integrity of decision-making. We have got 100 per cent accuracy [on offside after VAR checks] this season, so it won't improve the accuracy. What it does is make the process more efficient."

Crystal Palace last faced Manchester City in December 2024, picking up a point in a 2-2 draw against Pep Guardiola’s side. Daniel Munoz opened the scoring after four minutes in that match before the prolific Erling Haaland levelled. Maxence Lacroix put the Eagles back into the lead after the break before Rico Lewis - who was later sent off - bagged an equaliser.

In other news, Crystal Palace have fresh competition in the transfer race for a £25 million Premier League winger with seven assists.