A controversial delay in awarding a goal during Newcastle United's match against Chelsea has been attributed to a significant failure of the Premier League's much-vaunted technology. The league has confirmed that technical issues with the semi-automatic offside system (SAOT) forced video assistant referees to resort to a manual check, causing a lengthy stoppage at St James' Park.
The Incident: A Goal Mired in Uncertainty
During a pulsating first half, Newcastle's German striker Nick Woltemade appeared to have doubled his side's advantage. Demonstrating sharp instincts, he met an excellent inswinging cross from Anthony Gordon with a deft touch, beating Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The initial on-field decision was a goal, sparking celebrations among the home supporters.
However, the joy quickly turned to frustration as the match officials signalled for a VAR review. What followed was an unusually long wait, leaving players and fans in suspense. The Premier League's subsequent statement revealed the root cause: the league's Semi-Automated Offside Technology was not operational during the critical check.
Manual Intervention: How the Decision Was Finally Reached
With the automated system down, the responsibility fell to VAR official Peter Bankes and his assistant Eddie Smart. Deprived of the technology designed to provide instant, accurate offside lines, they were required to manually construct the lines using the broadcast footage to determine Woltemade's position.
The Premier League Match Centre confirmed the process in a detailed explanation: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Woltemade in an onside position. Due to technical issues, Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) wasn't available during the VAR check. The VAR was required to manually construct lines in determining this decision."
This painstaking manual process, contrasting sharply with the promised speed of SAOT, led to the extended delay before the goal was officially awarded, much to the relief of the Newcastle faithful.
The Technology: Promise Versus Reality
The incident has thrown a spotlight on the Premier League's reliance on new technology. Semi-Automated Offside Technology, which uses player tracking data and a network of 30 in-stadium cameras to generate a virtual offside line, was designed to make decisions faster and more accurate.
Having been successfully used in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the Champions League, it was introduced in English football during last season's FA Cup before its Premier League debut in April 2025. The system is a collaboration between the Premier League, refereeing body PGMOL, and technology provider Genius Sports.
This technical failure, occurring in a high-profile match, raises questions about system redundancy and contingency planning. While the manual check ultimately upheld the correct decision, the delay undermined the very efficiency SAOT was implemented to guarantee, proving that even the most advanced systems are not infallible.
