After their meek departure from the competition at home to Bournemouth, there is no place for Everton in this weekend's 5th Round of the FA Cup, in which seven of the fixtures are set to trial semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) for the first time in domestic English football. 

Friday 28 February 2025
20:00 Aston Villa v Cardiff City — ITV 1

Saturday 1 March 2025
12:15 Crystal Palace v Millwall — BBC 1
12:15 Preston North End v Burnley — BBC iPlayer
17:45 Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle — ITV 4

Sunday 2 March 2025
13:45 Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion — ITV 1
16:30 Manchester United v Fulham — BBC 1

Monday 3 March 2025
19:30 Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town — ITV 4

 

Semi-automated offside technology

"Video Assistant Referees [VAR] will be active across all eight ties of this season’s Emirates FA Cup 5th round proper.

"This will include in-stadium VAR announcements, where match officials will announce their final decision in relation to reviewed incidents to provide improved clarity and understanding for spectators and viewers.

"The 5th round will also utilise semi-automated offside technology in all seven matches taking place at Premier League stadiums, which is the first time it will be used live in competitive matches in English football.

"The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup 5th round, in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season.

"Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season.

"Semi-automated offside technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters. The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process."

The only match not being held at a Premier League venue in the upcoming round of the FA Cup is Preston North End, who play Burnley.