November 15 – The use of video replays will be given another trial when Italy take on world champions Germany in tonight’s prestige friendly in Milan.
In March, the International FA Board approved a two-year test of the so-called Video Assistant Referees’ system (VARs) which – if approved thereafter – could be used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Video replays to help referees, which Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini once said would be a step too far, have already been tested in the international friendly between Italy and France in September and have also been trialled in six other countries – Australia, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal and the United States.
Under the semi-live trials, two video assistant referees examine controversial incidents but only goals scored, penalties awarded, red cards and mistaken identities. The main referee is not yet being allowed to review footage on a pitch-side monitor.
Marco van Basten, FIFA’s new chief of technical development, commented: “They can help the referees. I hope to work for that, that football can become more honest. That is everything we want to do. At the end, the result must be honest. Football will not be changed by this. I am convinced it will be good. It may take some time. Players, referees will have to adapt a bit but it will be good.”
The system has already had a key impact. In the Netherlands in September, video replays were responsible for changing the ref’s decision during a Dutch Cup knockout game between Ajax and Willem II when Willem II midfielder Anouar Kali became the first player to be sent off after a review.
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