Leicester Gain from New Offside Technology in Brighton Draw as PGMOL Clarifies Penalty Call
Leicester City Halt Winless Streak with 2-2 Draw Against Brighton & Hove Albion
It seemed like a familiar story was unfolding when Joao Pedro converted a penalty after Conor Coady was penalised for handball.
However, Stephy Mavididi brought Leicester level, ending a 76-day Premier League goal drought for the Foxes.
The away fans celebrated with a jubilant and humorous chant.
Pedro restored Brighton’s lead with another penalty following a contentious call involving Luke Thomas.
But Leicester struck back through Caleb Okoli, whose goal was subject to an offside check.
Fortunately for the visitors, a new piece of technology played a key role in confirming the goal.
Semi-Automated Offside Tech Debuts
This weekend marked the Premier League debut of semi-automated offside technology.
Unlike traditional VAR, this system is designed to deliver quicker, more consistent decisions in close situations.
The technology was crucial in Okoli’s equaliser, as officials reviewed whether he had made his run too early.
The new system confirmed he was onside, allowing the goal to stand.
According to the Premier League, semi-automated offside technology streamlines the most critical elements of offside decisions used by VAR.
In particularly tight situations, it can validate or advise a change to the referee’s initial call.
Replay operators identify the exact moment a pass is made, generating automated lines to determine a player’s position accurately.
PGMOL Clarifies Luke Thomas Penalty Call
Leicester might feel hard done by, as they could have left the South Coast with all three points.
Just under 10 minutes into the second half, Luke Thomas got tangled up with Brighton’s Matt O’Riley inside the box.
Initially, referee Darren Bond waved play on.
However, after a brief review by VAR and a trip to the pitchside monitor, the referee reversed his decision and awarded Brighton a second penalty.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) explained: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Brighton for a challenge by Thomas on O’Riley.
It was deemed there was a sustained pull on O’Riley, and an on-field review was recommended.
The referee overturned his original decision and awarded the penalty.”
In the end, both teams shared the points in a match that showcased both drama and the evolving use of technology in the game.
