FIFA give the go-ahead to video technology for match officials
Goal-line technology is in it’s third season in the English Premier League without any controversy with other ‘match defining’ decisions likely to be added.
Offside decisions, penalty kicks and ordering offs are likely to come under video scrutiny with the world governing body discussing the issue which will be put to FIFA’s AGM which will be held in Cardiff at the start of March.
Reporting on the matter FIFA’s website stated: “The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) has taken a major step forward towards experimentation with video assistance for match officials.
“”“During its Annual Business Meeting (ABM) held at the Royal Garden Hotel in London on Thursday 7 January, the Board of Directors gave a strong recommendation for experiments to be given the green light at the 130th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held in Cardiff from 4 to 6 March.
“”“The protocols for such experiments were analysed today and are set to be finalised before the AGM, which would pave the way for live trials to begin as soon as the framework and timelines have been confirmed. A number of football associations and competition organisers have already expressed an interest in running trials.”
Despite many glaring errors being made in high profile matches FIFA and UEFA have tried to steer away from the sort of technology that is now commonplace in other sports such as rugby, tennis and cricket.
The introduction of additional assistant referee’s has failed to provide any assistance when it comes to making key decisions with their unwillingness to make any decision that conflicts with the match referee a source of anger and amusement.