UEFA will roll out semi-automatic offside technology SAOT for the first time this season. The System is set to debut at the upcoming Super Cup next Wednesday, with Real Madrid facing Eintracht Frankfurt. The plan is to bring the new offside technology into use in Helsinki, and later in the Champions League group stage this season, signaling a significant step forward for officiating in topflight European football.
UEFA’s head of refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, stated that the organization is continuously exploring fresh technological solutions to enhance the game and support the refereeing team on the field. He emphasized that the aim is to reduce errors and provide referees with better tools to interpret on pitch situations, which translates into fairer outcomes for players and teams alike. The adoption of SAOT is framed as part of a broader effort to harmonize on pitch decisions with real time data and camera analysis.
In UEFA’s description, the SAOT system will enable video assistant referees to identify offside positions more quickly and with greater precision. The result is a smoother flow of play and more consistent judgments across matches. The technology leverages advanced tracking to deliver near-instant results, helping match officials keep up with the tempo of modern football while minimizing controversial calls that can affect the outcome of a game.
According to UEFA, the core of SAOT relies on a network of special cameras capable of monitoring 29 distinct body points for every player. This granular data enables a three dimensional understanding of player positions and movements at the moment the ball is played. The system is designed to produce a decisive offside call in seconds, providing clarity for players and fans and reducing disruptions that arise from long VAR reviews for offside incidents.
Rosetti recalled that tests began in 2020 and that, to date, the technology has undergone 188 separate trials across a range of competitions. These tests have included the Champions League group stages from the previous season, the entire Women’s Champions League qualifying rounds, the UEFA Women’s European Cup, and finals across other club competitions. The extensive testing phase aimed to validate the reliability of the system under various conditions before official deployment in top level matches.
Speaking about readiness, Rosetti assured fans and teams that SAOT is prepared for use in official matches and will be applied at every Champions League venue. The statement underscored UEFA’s confidence that the technology will contribute to more accurate officiating while preserving the pace and excitement of the game. The move has been framed as a major milestone in the ongoing modernization of football officiating, balancing the need for precision with the live nature of match play.