VAR Offside in the Premier League: Why Margin and Animation Still Spark Debate

The Premier League's move to semi-automated offside technology promised clearer decisions, but fans are still asking where the lines lie. Recent calls have shown that on-screen visuals can drift from the moment on the pitch.

Here’s how the latest examples illustrate the challenge of turning data into intuitive visuals that match the real action.

How the margin works and why it matters

In the Premier League, offside decisions operate with a 5cm tolerance, unlike the millimetre precision used in many other competitions. That small gap can determine whether a goal stands or is ruled out, even when players appear extremely close to each other.

Recent cases that sparked debate

A recent example involved Newcastle United's Bruno Guimarães and Manchester City's Ruben Dias. Bruno was just ahead in the buildup to Harvey Barnes' goal, but within the 5cm margin, so the goal stood after VAR review.

On Sunday, Gabriel Gudmundsson's toe seemed to be inside the on-screen line before Lukas Nmecha scored for Leeds United against Aston Villa. Once again, the goal was allowed to stand under the same tolerance.

The visuals: animation vs. perception

The aim of the new animation is to replace manually drawn lines with a dynamic projection. However, the margin means the green line does not always align perfectly with the players, which can confuse viewers about which body part counts.

In some frames, the line stops at an arm, while the software continues to highlight the upper arm or torso. This discrepancy makes it hard for fans to know which point the decision rests on.

Earlier season incidents

Earlier this season, Burnley had a goal ruled out at Manchester United when a portion of Lyle Foster's upper arm appeared offside in the frame. Moments like this keep the debate alive about whether visuals clearly convey the ruling.

Ongoing challenges and questions

Despite substantial investment, the system remains imperfect. Some argue for scrapping the margin, while others want the tolerance to be visible to viewers so broadcasts can explain the decision in real time.

Key Takeaways

• The Premier League uses a 5cm offside tolerance, unlike many other competitions that apply millimetre precision.
• The on-screen animation may not move in exact alignment with players due to the tolerance, causing confusion.
• There is increasing calls for transparency about the margin and which body parts count toward offside.
• Incident–level inconsistencies highlight the need for clearer visuals that match the decision logic.

Expert comment

Expert comment: Dr. Emma Collins, sports technology analyst, notes that the 5cm margin shapes public perception and calls for clearer, standardized indicators across leagues. She adds that better alignment between animation and actual contact points would boost trust in VAR decisions.

Summary

Semi-automated offside technology has reduced some arguments, but it also introduces new questions about margins and how visuals translate to calls. Viewers want consistent rules and transparent displays that explain where the line is drawn and why. As technology evolves, broadcasters and leagues should prioritise clarity to help fans understand decisions in real time.

Key insight: The margin and animation logic behind offside calls can distort outcomes if not clearly explained; transparent visuals and standardized rules are essential. Source: BBC Sport.

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