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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Paul MacInnes

SAOT ain’t slow: how does the World Cup’s AI-assisted offside system work?

a SAOT World Cup Cup Harry Kane Qatar VAR AFPGetty Images Fifa UEFA Champions League
Play is paused at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as VAR, using the SAOT system, checks Harry Kane’s late winner against Sporting
Play is paused at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as VAR, using the SAOT system, checks Harry Kane’s late winner against Sporting last month. After a long delay it was ruled out for offside. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

What is SAOT?

It may have an acronym akin to a reality show but Semi-Automated Offside Technology, or SAOT, was designed to quell drama rather than cause it. An extension to VAR, it was introduced to help reduce problems with one of the most contentious aspects of video-assisted refereeing: how to decide if a player is offside in the buildup to a goal. It will be in use at the World Cup in Qatar.

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