Premier League clubs 'fear' semi-automated offsides will be scrapped this season after 'glitch' saw Robert Lewandowski's Barcelona goal wrongly disallowed

The Premier League had been set to implement semi-automated offside technology after Christmas but that date could now be pushed back until next season, according to The Sun. Fresh concerns about the technology have been raised after Robert Lewandowski saw a goal controversially ruled out for offside against Real Sociedad due to a 'glitch' in the system. Barcelona fans were left raging at the technology after it appeared to wrongly confuse Lewandowski's boot with defender Nayef Aguerd's.

Barcelona have also demanded answers from the RFEF over the incident, and the controversy could have ramifications back in England. According to the report, Premier League clubs "want to ensure the new system is foolproof" before it is implemented in order to avoid such incidents happening in the English top flight.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has called for more clarity in the aftermath of the disallowed goal. He told Mundo Deportivo: "Why is it semi-automatic? I am lost. I still don't know if the boots were yellow or black. We don't want to go there because we don't want excuses, but there's a question: what happened? Where's the error occurred, if there's an error? If not, no problem, but we need an explanation because we're lost with what semi-automatic means. If there's an involvement from VAR, if the referee really can't do anything. If the semi-automatic system doesn't work, then we need to return to another system. This isn't a Barca issue, it's about improvements for all teams. Some things have improved, but in other areas we still have one person's interpretation. We still have controversial decisions, like the one at Anoeta on Sunday, which was probably incorrect."

Premier League bosses are expected to discuss the current situation around semi-automated offsides and the recent controversy in La Liga before making a decision on when the technology will be brought to the top flight, meaning it could well be delayed until next season.