The confirmation of SAOT came from CBF president Samir Xaud during the inaugural meeting of the Arbitration Working Group (GT), held on Monday (10) at CBF headquarters. With the contract now signed, Xaud celebrated another concrete step toward increasing transparency in CBF-organized competitions.
“We are taking a decisive step in the modernization of Brazilian football. The introduction of semi-automatic offside is not only a technological innovation, but a concrete measure to increase the accuracy, transparency and credibility of refereeing decisions. It aligns Brazilian football with the most advanced practices in the world, and the CBF will continue working to ensure that our competitions are a reference in quality and fairness,” he said.
Under the agreement, Genius has until January 10, 2026 to issue the SAOT (Semi-Automatic Offside Technology) certificate for all 27 stadiums of the clubs that will compete in the next Série A season.
According to the document, the contract requires Genius to deploy a robust infrastructure for SAOT operations in stadiums. Each venue will be equipped with 24 dedicated cameras (installed at minimum height with full-field coverage), an exclusive on-site Genius server, a dedicated internet connection of at least 700 Mbps (or up to 1,000 Mbps for SAOT), and guaranteed structural stability to avoid camera vibration.
In addition to SAOT, Genius will supply a tracking system for players, referees and the ball (tracking data), as well as an advanced tactical and performance analysis platform (Performance Studio). Genius’ SAOT will be fully integrated with the VAR system used in CBF competitions, operated by Hawk-Eye.
The contract also stipulates that Genius’ operations must comply fully with Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD) and international privacy regulations, and includes a strict anti-corruption clause covering the U.S. FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act), the UK Bribery Act, and the Brazilian Football Ethics Code.
For Netto Góes, president of the Arbitration Working Group, the acquisition of Genius technology confirms that the efforts of the current CBF administration — including the creation of the GT itself — represent a milestone for Brazilian football.
“The implementation of SAOT is a milestone for Brazilian refereeing. The Working Group was created precisely to promote structural and consistent advances, and this partnership with Genius is a clear example of that mission. It is a robust, auditable system that meets FIFA standards and will directly contribute to reducing errors, improving decision-making and strengthening the confidence of everyone involved in the game,” he said.
Source: GMB
