FIFA has announced that video replays will be introduced to football for the first ever time at the Club World Cup, starting on Thursday.
Video assistant referees, known as VARs, will be able to offer support to the game officials at the tournament in Japan to correct any mistakes with what FIFA describes as “match changing situations”.
“This represents a big step forward in terms of testing the technology,” said FIFA’s chief officer for technical development Marco van Basten ahead of the tournament in Yokohama and Osaka which kicks off on Thursday.
“At the same time it’s important to remember that we are entering somewhat unchartered territory here, given that we are going live for the first time.”
Ultimately, these tests should prove invaluable in terms of determining whether the processes are sound or whether any further refinements are needed.”
Referees will also be able to review footage at the side of the pitch for certain kinds of decisions.
FIFA says other competitions will have live trials in 2017.
