'This is embarrassing!' - Breakdown in semi-automated offsides causes massive delay as fans blast 'f*cking disgusting' new system in Bournemouth & Wolves FA Cup clash

The semi-automated offside technology is being used in the FA Cup fifth round clashes for the first time in English football. Bournemouth locked horns against Wolves on Saturday at Vitality Stadium and Evanilson had handed the Cherries the lead at the half hour mark. The Brazilian striker's goal, however, was thoroughly checked by the referee, who suspected that the ball might have come off an arm and also a possible offside. After a check on the handball, the offside system broke down, which forced VAR to manually draw the offside lines. The decision remained pending for eight minutes, which infuriated the fans at the stadium as well as on social media. The crowd at the venue even chanted: "It’s not football anymore. This is embarrassing."

On social media, the fans mocked the technology. A named Rohan Kumar Mahato wrote: "They delayed the introduction of semi automated offside two times for this. Somehow the same tech works flawlessly in UEFA comps and other leagues."

Paul wrote on X: "Great start for the semi automated offside system! It’s laughable how bad VAR is. Time to bin the whole thing."

An X handled named AnnieTheDog7 wrote: "I hope our nuclear defenses are more efficient than our semi-automated offside technology."

Ben Bowman wrote: "I've just seen it took the officials *8 MINUTES* to disallow Bournemouth's second goal *WITH* semi-automated offside technology. Check for handball as well, but under no circumstances should it take 8 minutes to come to a decision on handball/offside. Crazy."

Dean Foley mocked the FA as he wrote: "Only the English FA could mess up semi automated offside."

Zach angrily wrote: "That is fucking disgusting it has taken 8 minutes to make a decision which is completely wrong how is he offside, this automated offside is a disgrace “It’s not football anymore”."

The decision to upgrade the existing VAR was taken as the FA wanted to speed up offside decisions and will be used in seven matches hosted at Premier League stadiums. VAR will still be active in all eight competition fixtures, but the newly upgraded offside system will only be implemented at top-flight venues.

The Cherries went into the break with a one-goal lead but Matheus Cunha fired his team back into the match with a thunderous strike from long distance. The match eventually ended 1-1 after the regulation as the two teams headed into extra time.