Exclusive: Nike and Apple tech ‘concern’ for Premier League semi-automated offsides
Keith Hackett has pointed out a “concern” over the imminent introduction of a semi-automated offside system to the Premier League.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that it is a risk to use a new system, rather than the one that has already been tried and tested in UEFA and FIFA competitions.
Back in the summer, it was confirmed that a semi-automated offside system, run by the company Genius Sports, would be introduced to the Premier League.
Apple cameras are set to be used instead of Sony ones, while the Nike ball in the English top flight is different from the Adidas version used in Europe.
So far the system has yet to be implemented, and as a result there have been a number of incidents of checks taking several minutes, such as in the clash between Arsenal and Chelsea back in November.
Premier League close to introducing semi-automated offside system
Last week, the Premier League and FA moved a step closer to implementing system of semi-automated offside into its competitions.
It was announced that the system will be used for the seven FA Cup fifth round matches that are due to be played at Premier League grounds at the end of February and start of March.
That will then be followed by the introduction of the sytem in the Premier League later in the current campaign.
But while Hackett believes it is right to bring in this technology to help speed up offside decisions, he is concerned about the use of a new system for the job.
Keith Hackett reacts to imminent Premier League update
Speaking to Football Insider about the new system, in the wake of a long check to confirm Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal for Crystal Palace against Everton on Saturday (15 February), Hackett said:
“So we move to the semi-automated system. I have a concern. There is no question that I support its introductions.
“We’ve seen it operate really well in Europe and FIFA. However, they’re not using the same system. They’re using something that’s been produced by Genius Sports, whose core business is gambling.
“They do have a technical arm. So I know for a fact that they’re not using Sony cameras, they’re operating and are going to operate with Apple cameras.
“Fine, you might think that shouldn’t be a problem. The reality is that Sony have got a great deal of, if you like, experience in this area, particularly when you look at tennis, cricket and goal-line technology.
“They’re the leading experts. So we look at the system and we have to in UEFA, and UEFA use 12 fixed cameras, it uses AI with 20-odd points on every player, but the core here is that when you’re determining an offside position, which is not an offence by itself, it’s at that point at which the ball is kicked.
“So the link between the player in an offside position and the ball being kicked, is vital to the accuracy of the decision.
“In Europe we have an Adidas ball with a chip inside it and a sensor and a tracking mechanism, my question is: what is being used in this new system, because the Premier League certainly use Nike?
“But the reality is the potential shortfall here for me is the link between the ball and the tracking mechanism. Now if it all works and it works well it should speed up the process by about 30 seconds.
“So we’ll not have lines drawn. What we will have, is the spectators will have an animation dynamic of the position of the players.
“So I think it’s long overdue, but I’ve expressed my concerns. I know the ball is the problem. Nike have had a long relationship with the Premier League, as long as I can remember. Adidas with Europe, even in the early 80s it’s always been an Adidas ball.
“So I think when we look at it, it’s how good is the ball? Has it got the same technology. If it has we should be comfortable.”
After it was suggested a recent injury suffered by Man City winger Jack Grealish against Real Madrid in the Champions League came due to a long pause for a VAR offside check, officials will hope this new system can avoid a repeat of such incidents.