The A-League has been handed the opportunity by FIFA to be one of six competitions around the world to trial the ground-breaking use of video replays on contentious calls.
Football Federation Australian will initially run offline experiments with the eventual plan for fully-fledged live tests of video assistant referees (VARs).
Replays will be used to check game-changing incidents such as penalty-kick decisions, red cards and goals scored from line-ball offside calls.
In the initial experiments, VARs will assess video replays and make calls on match-changing incidents, but without any communication with the on-field referee.
Joining Australia in participating in the trial is Germany’s Bundesliga, the league and cups in Portugal, Major League Soccer in the United States as well as unspecified competitions in Brazil and the Netherlands.
Chief executive David Gallop said FFA had embraced the idea that would form part of the A-League’s rejuvenation.
“We have been at the forefront of pushing for more broadcast innovations in the Hyundai A-League and we embraced the VARs idea from the start,” said Gallop.
“The eventual introduction of VARs will be a breakthrough for referees in game-changing moments and will greatly enhance the experience for fans and viewers.
“In tandem with our brand refresh for the A-League, the introduction of a centralised Marquee Player Fund and the changes happening in the digital landscape, we can see a new era taking shape for the A-League.”
FFA will now embark on the next phase of working with referees, clubs, coaches, players, broadcasters and stadium managers on the offline trials.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he hoped VARs will be used to support referees at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
In a world that celebrates instant twitter reaction and "Kardashian" style shallow thinking, this might be a bit too much for some people to have to take a few minutes of their time to comprehend.
albatross
Roar Pro
Avoid mixed up metaphors for starters.
Lionheart
Guest
The biggest problem I see at present is the way some commentators and coaches carry on about some ref decisions. Without video review, you have to accept that the ref is human and human's make mistakes. Rugby union commentators and coaches and players do it very well. They move on, usually saying nothing, ot 'it happens, swings & roundabouts'. Rugby league carry on and on, so they have their central bunker, which sucks all life out of the game. Our commentators and coaches carry on, and so do a lot of players in milking penalties. I think if they can review without holding up the game for more than a few seconds, which happens now anyway, it will be a good thing. The minute we go to referrals at every decision, or if coaches, commentators keep moaning, we should drop it.
Lionheart
Guest
What should we do? Sign and promote others to sign.
Midfielder
Guest
Just to remind people this is a FIFA thing and we are simply taking part and notes ... but lets blame Gallop ...
Paul
Guest
Just about every decision by Ben Williams and Jared Gillett would be overturned. the worst thing would be to have these guys as the video referees. I'd rather see additional assistamts running the line looking only for fouls on the opposite to the main assistant referee (always in line with the last defender)
Waz
Guest
I think we need a video ref on that passage of play, wtf happened there lol?
Punter
Guest
OK!!!!
Bob
Guest
Nothing really. Its better than what we had with the nsl anyway
marcel
Guest
Yeh...lets blame Gallop for this..Goose.
RC
Guest
More Gallop nonsense. Why doesn't this NRL moonlighter concentrate on getting a TV deal already. For goodness sake the Socceroos match versus Greece isn't on free to air tomorrow. Absolutely nonsense.
Midfielder
Guest
Sounds brilliant ... Lets hope it works.
Punter
Guest
What should we do?
Bob
Guest
Reap what you sew. These a-league clubs aren't real clubs. They are franchises. Easily closed down and dispensed with.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
It's an "off-line" experiment run under the aegis of FIFA. "Joining Australia in participating in the trial is Germany’s Bundesliga, the league and cups in Portugal, Major League Soccer in the United States as well as unspecified competitions in Brazil and the Netherlands." It's great for Oz to be involved in a global trial.
Gazmon
Guest
It's not going to be like a video referee in League, Union, NFL, etc. It's far more dynamic and is generally sorted out within a few seconds, not minutes. Essentially, another referee is in the stands/box with TV monitors and watches the game live, as we do, from different angles and has constant communication with the referee (in the trials there is no contact or influence). If done correctly it can help... hence why we're having trials. Nobody will even notice outside of those close to this video official, the other referees (post/pre-match only) and the inspectors.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Video Referee works sooo well for the NRL and Cricket - just what football fans need! NOT
AVictory
Guest
Video referees are a farce and take away from the game in Cricket, AFL and NRL. Contentious decisions are inconclusive and it slows the game down, it also sucks the spontaneity out of the big moments which destroys the magic.. They do enhance tennis, but tennis is a completely different style of sport compared to the continuous play of football codes. I know that the A-League will do a horrible job of this test, perhaps the Germans or Dutch could make it work? FIFA have done a great job of the goal line technology and that it is instant without affecting the flow of the game. (for the stadiums that can afford it) In any case I hope that the sport is not ruined by this.
Paul
Guest
Brisbane Roar is so important to me and so many supporters and it breaks our hearts to see it struggle like this. We have lost two really great players, a great CEO and an incredible medical team over this situation and if nothing happens we will lose more. We can’t let this happen to such a great and successful club. Please show your support to the fans of BRFC, and to the sport itself as well as the club and sign this petition to help us get back on our feet. It’s really our last hope. https://www.change.org/p/revoke-the-bakrie-group-s-brisbane-roar-a-league-license?recruiter=198331991&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink
Ben
Guest
Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!