The English Premier League has postponed the implementation of the semi-automated Video Assistant Referee (VAR) offside technology (SAOT) until 2025 due to ongoing testing of the system.

This decision comes months after English Premier League clubs had previously voted unanimously in favour of introducing the technology before the commencement of the 2024-2025 season.

SAOT is expected to significantly reduce the time required for offside checks by an average of 31 seconds.

Originally, the Premier League had planned to transition to SAOT “after one of the autumn international breaks, with October being considered the most likely timeframe for its introduction.

However, following a Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Thursday, September 26, it was revealed that SAOT is not yet prepared for rollout.

The delay in implementing SAOT calls into question the feasibility of introducing the technology at all in the ongoing season, which is scheduled to last until June 2025.

SAOT aims to eliminate the manual process of placing lines on players and the pitch to check for offside in a build-up to a goal, resulting in quicker and more accurate offside decisions.

Additionally, it promises to offer a much-improved graphical visualisation of offside decisions compared to the current method of displaying lines on broadcast cameras.

Joe Hart’s stunned reaction at Liverpool’s star’s body transformation

ENGLAND hero Joe Hart hardly recognised Liverpool star Alisson after his major transformation.

The Brazilian goalkeeper has been an absolute force between the sticks in the Premier League ever since his arrival at Anfield from Roma in 2018.

The 31-year-old shot stopper is well-known around the world for his amazing talent in goal but currently looks unrecognisable after a significant makeover.

Hart went to interview the Brazil international for BBC Football but was left stunned when the two met.

That was because Alisson shaved his signature beard, which he had for the past decade.

The cleanshaven keeper swapped his rugged look for a babyface profile.

And Alisson revealed that even his Liverpool team-mates didn't notice him when he first arrived with his new look.

Hart greeted Alisson: "How are you?

To which the Liverpool keeper responded: "Yeah, all good."

And the Manchester City legend said with a surprised look: "Looking very fresh. Good to see."

Alisson replied: Ten years [with the beard]."

To which Hart said: "I know, yeah. It's good to see. You look so different without a beard."

Alisson said: "So different! Everybody in the building looked at me and said, 'Who's this guy?'

"People in the stadium yesterday [when] I arrived to the match, they didn't recognise [me]."

Alisson has missed the last two games with a tight hamstring but could be back for the trip to Wolves on Saturday night, with Arne Slot suggesting he is "ready".