Premier League holding video technology trials

The Premier League has been conducting trials over the use of video technology this season, referees’ chief Mike Riley has told the Daily Telegraph.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved in-game trials with video assistance for referees during its annual meeting in March and competitions in six countries — including Germany’s Bundesliga and the United States’ Major League Soccer — were subsequently approved to run experiments with video assistant referees (VARs).

The Premier League was not among those trialling the new technology but Riley confirmed unofficial tests have taken place in 12 games, with VARs watching live feeds of games to gain an insight into how they would communicate with the on-field referee. The Telegraph suggested official live video referrals could be used as early as next season.

The IFAB decided in March that use of video would be restricted to referees ruling on whether a goal has been scored, a penalty should be awarded, a player should be sent off or cases of mistaken identity.

The only technology currently used in football is to rule on whether balls have crossed the line, which was approved in 2012.

Riley, the head of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, said: “Technology that can help referees in making the correct decision without disrupting the flow of the game will be considered. The IFAB has committed to experimenting for a minimum of two years and it’s important to use that time to identify the best way to use technology to benefit the game.

“We have trialled using video assistant referees for 12 Premier League games so far this season. This has been in a non-live environment, which means there has been no contact with the match officials at the games.

“We will continue with these trials throughout the season.”

Former referees’ chief Keith Hackett said it was a “terrific” decision in his column for the Telegraph.

“By my reckoning, there were around 300 major errors that influenced matches last season and if we can get even a 20 per cent reduction then that’s good for the game, no question,” he wrote. “I would eventually like to see reviews for more than just controversial goals, penalties, red cards and cases of mistaken identity, but I can understand the current process.

“Let us experiment, let us bring in the system to cover those major incidents and avoid serious errors.

“If it is then found to be successful, which I suggest it will be, then they can just open it up for the video assistant referee to advise the referee on all matters in the same way as his other assistants.”

FIFA has trialled VARs in two live games, in France’s 3-1 victory over Italy in September and Italy’s 0-0 friendly draw with Germany this week.

In Tuesday’s game, the VAR confirmed that the on-field officials were right to rule out Germany forward Kevin Volland’s goal for a marginal offside.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in Bild after that match: “There were one, maybe two, situations that helped the referee, things he was not able to spot that well on the pitch, and we definitely helped him.”