Manchester United via Getty Imag
Man United and Man City will first be affected by the decision later in April in the Premier League.
As the season is getting closer and closer to an end, Man United and Man City will hope to achieve their goals in the Premier League.
United are aiming to develop some better form under Ruben Amorim, hoping to go into next season on a high and with something to build from. City are hoping to land a spot in the Champions League next season as they currently sit fifth in the league.
However, the Premier League is introducing a new rule change later in April which will affect both teams in their final games of the season this year, before the final week which comes in late May.
Premier League introduce semi-automated offside technology
The Premier League has announced that it will introduce semi-automated offside technology. It will be used in close-call situations and will be able to overturn the original on-field decision, much like VAR.
Semi-automated offside has been used in the FA Cup this season successfully, and so the PGMOL have decided to bring it into the Premier League for the final stages of this season, hoping it will become a regular fixture heading into next year.
It relies on player tracking and virtual graphics to create a more accurate drawing of the offside line, and should speed up contentious offside decisions such as after a team has scored a goal.
It will affect both United and City with it first being introduced from Saturday 12 April until the end of the season.
Which games will it affect for Man United and Man City?
The first game in which semi-automated offside will be used will be Manchester City’s early kick-off against Crystal Palace on Saturday 12 April, a week after the Manchester derby which comes on Sunday.
Manchester United’s first game with the system will be their trip to play against Newcastle United on Sunday 13 April, kicking off at 4.30 pm. The first game after Man United’s Europa League tie against Lyon.
Man City’s games after the Palace clash are against Everton, Aston Villa, Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and their final game against Fulham on May 25. Semi-automated offside will be used for all seven of these games until the end of the season.
For Man United, the games affected will be against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brentford, West Ham, Chelsea and Aston Villa. Both Manchester clubs have experience of the technology, with it already used in UEFA competitions.
What has the Premier League said?
It reads: “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.”
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