Football rule-makers mull using video replays during games

PanARMENIAN.Net - Football's rule-makers are discussing whether to approve trials of video replays to assist referees who find it harder to keep up with the faster, modern game, Fox Sports reports.

The International Football Association Board first approved technology in 2012 that was limited to systems determining whether the ball crossed the goal-line.

But the FIFA-dominated panel met on Thursday, January 7 in London to decide whether to allow the first official in-game tests with video replay systems that could, for example, help to inform referees on whether a penalty should be awarded, a player should be sent off, or consider violent conduct they might have missed.

It is "physically harder for referees to keep up," and high-tech assistance is proving essential, English Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said.

The Dutch federation has been testing technology where officials watching on television could feed live information to referees. As an IFAB member, England is keen to host trials, having tested goal-line technology during a friendly in 2012 at Wembley Stadium.

FIFA controls half of the eight votes on IFAB, which also features four United Kingdom football associations. A motion requires at least six votes to be approved.