By Andrew Warshaw
December 23 – After years of debate, the traditionally conservative lawmakers of world football are moving a step closer to approving rugby-style video replays for referees.
The idea, put off last year, is to be discussed by the interim meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in January which could then lead to actual rule changes at the main IFAB annual session in March.
IFAB, which comprises FIFA and four British associations, will also discuss the pros and cons of sin-bins, temporary substitutions for certain injuries that require “momentary treatment,” and a fourth substitute in extra time.
Currently goal-line technology is as far as the rules go but the Dutch have been experimenting unofficially with video assistance.
The Dutch FA want to be given permission to test the technology in live games, something the game’s custodians were reluctant to endorse last spring even though the English and Scottish federations were in favour. Any rule change needs six out of eight votes and FIFA have four.
While many fans support football adopting a practise used for years in other sports, FIFA take the view it is far too radical to approve anything other than goal-line technology which itself took decades to come into force, and that video technology would stop the flow of the game.
But under the Dutch experimentation, contentious decisions take a maximum 15 seconds to be resolved and in a statement FIFA said the IFAB “has been working on potential scenarios and clear protocols for how it could be tested, with the idea that well-run experiments would be the best way to understand the pros and cons of video assistance.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734865072labto1734865072ofdlr1734865072owedi1734865072sni@w1734865072ahsra1734865072w.wer1734865072dna1734865072