FIFA approves testing of video technology in football

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved live trials of video technology to aid referees.

Fifa confirm radical plans to change football as we know it with video technology https://t.co/KHFsOwRYj6

— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) March 5, 2016

The news was announced following a meeting of the IFAB in Cardiff.

Newly elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino welcomed the decision and called it a historic day for the sport.

“Today we have taken really a historic decision for football. FIFA and IFAB, are now leading the debate. We have shown that we are listening to the fans, to the players, to football and we are applying common sense,” he said.

BREAKING: Fifa boss Infantino approves testing of video technology for goals, red cards,… https://t.co/i5ryBTpGmT pic.twitter.com/Mw5qAaKHrO

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The technology would only be applied to key incidents concerning goals, red cards, mistaken identities and penalties.

Experiments will be carried out over a two-year period starting no later than the 2017/18 season before a final decision is taken on whether to adopt the technology permanently.

The decision to introduce video technology follows the widespread introduction of goal-line technology, which was used by FIFA at the 2014 World Cup and will be used by UEFA at this season’s Champions League and Europa League finals, as well as at Euro 2016.