Fifa extends experiment using extra assistant refs

WITH both Fifa and Uefa still opposed to the introduction of video evidence, yesterday's special meeting of the International Football Association Board in Zurich sanctioned an extension of the experiment with two additional assistant referees which was carried out in the Uefa Europa League this season.

For the next two years, all six Fifa confederations and 208 member associations will be authorised to use two extra assistants behind the goals if they wish.

The invitation, however, will not be taken up in Scotland because of the additional cost of hiring two further officials for every game. "The feedback from the Europa League trial of the six officials was generally positive," said SFA head of referee development Hugh Dallas, who attended the IFAB meeting. "So it was decided to open it up over the next two years.

"But in Scotland, as in many other countries, it would have a financial implication on the game and it is certainly not right for us at the present time.

"You may well see it continue to be used in the Europa League, or even the Champions League, next season but that will be a matter for Uefa to decide."

But Dallas believes the SFA's success in widening the role of fourth officials throughout world football next season will prove a significant aid to referee decision making.

An SFA proposal concerning the duties of the fourth official was approved.

The amendment, which will take effect from 1 June and therefore be put in place in time for the World Cup finals in South Africa, extends the scope of the fourth official to assist the referee's control of the match.

Dallas told The Scotsman: "It was something we put forward at the last annual general meeting of the Board back in March.

"It was referred to Fifa's technican sub-committee before being accepted today. We felt it was important to have more clarity surrounding the fourth official's role.

"We have seen incidents happen where the fourth official has allegedly been involved in decision-making when he shouldn't be.

"It is only right that, having a fourth official, he is used as much as possible to help the referee. So under the amendment, if there is something major which the referee misses or gets wrong, the fourth official is allowed to offer his opinion to the referee.

"As an example, if there is a handball on the line which is not spotted by the referee or his assistants, but is seen by the fourth official who has a better angle on the incident, then he can inform the referee."

Yesterday's meeting, which was chaired by Fifa president Sepp Blatter, also approved an amendment to the law concerning penalty kick takers.

Feinting in the run-up to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted, however feinting to kick the ball once the player has completed his run-up is now considered an infringement of Law 14 and an act of unsporting behaviour for which the player must be cautioned.