Semi-Automated Offside Technology will premiere at the UEFA Super Cup

UEFA has announced that Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) will premiere in European club competitions at the UEFA Super Cup. Furthermore, SAOT will also be used as of the group stage in the upcoming UEFA Champions League season.

"UEFA is constantly looking for new technological solutions to improve the game and support the work of the referees," said UEFA chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti. "This innovative system will allow VAR teams to determine offside situations quickly and more accurately, enhancing the flow of the game and the consistency of the decisions".

The new system will operate thanks to specialised cameras which are able to track 29 different body points per player. A total of 188 tests have been performed since 2020, including all matches in last season's Champions League, the knockout stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League, and the complete UEFA Women's EURO 2022 final tournament, as well as the other club competition finals.

2022 UEFA Super Cup refereeing team
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Assistants: Stuart Burt (England), Simon Bennett (England)
4th official: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania)
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland)
VAR assistants: Bartosz Frankowski (Poland), Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (Portugal)