UEFA has announced the introduction of semi-automatic offside technology, which will debut in the Super Cup and be used in the Champions League during the 2022-23 season.
SOAT’s introduction will “allow VAR teams to determine offside situations quickly and more accurately”, UEFA says, and will operate thanks to specialised cameras, which are able to track 29 different body points per player.
Set to be used in the Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt in Helsinki on August 10, UEFA says the technology has been tested 188 times since 2010 – including all matches in last season’s Champions League, knock-out fixtures in the Women’s Champions League and during the UEFA Women’s Euros, as well as other club competition finals.
“UEFA is constantly looking for new technological solutions to improve the game and support the work of the referees,” UEFA Chief Refereeing Officer Roberto Rosetti said in a press release.
“The system is ready to be used in official matches and implemented at each Champions League venue.”
UEFA also announced that English referee Michael Oliver will officiate the Super Cup final, who will be assisted by compatriots Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett.
Rumsas Donatas (Lithuania) will act as the fourth official, while the VAR role has been assigned to Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland), and he will be assisted by his fellow countryman Bartosz Frankowkski, as well as Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (Portugal).
