Video evidence was used to award a penalty for the first time in a FIFA competition at the Club World Cup on Wednesday when the referee gave Kashima Antlers a controversial spot kick in their 3-0 semi-final win over Colombia’s Atletico Nacional.
An off-field official known as a video assistant referee (VAR) called attention to an infringement by Orlando Berrio and Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai walked to the side of the pitch to review the incident on a computer screen.
Kassai awarded the 33rd minute penalty that Shoma Doi converted to give a 1-0 lead to Japanese side Kashima, who will play either Real Madrid or Club America in Sunday’s final.
Berrio could clearly be seen tripping opponent Daigo Nishi as the players moved into the box to challenge for a free kick.
However, the penalty decision provoked anger from fans worldwide on twitter, who believe the video evidence also showed Nishi was in an offside position when the free kick was taken.
There was also concern that the referee was only permitted to watch the replay once the ball had gone out of play, which happened only after Atletico broke upfield on a counter attack.
FIFA do not usually comment on refereeing decisions but officials will inevitably face questions over what they have called a ‘big step forward’ for technology in the sport.
Soccer’s world governing body said it was well prepared for the experiment but the game was entering “uncharted waters”.
“Ultimately, these tests should prove invaluable in terms of determining whether the processes are sound or whether any further refinements are needed,” FIFA said in a statement issued on the eve of the tournament in Japan.
The trial during seven matches involves off the field VARs monitoring the action and calling the referee’s attention to “clear mistakes in match-changing situations,” such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and mistaken identity.
Its trial use at the Club World Cup – a tournament for the world’s continental champions plus the host nation – follows the successful introduction of goal-line technology used to rule when a ball has fully crossed the goal-line.
Leagues in 12 countries have confirmed they will participate in a two-year experiment with VARs.
Fadida
Guest
A terrible innovation. What happens if in the minute between the incident and the review of the replay, the other team goes up the other end and scores? As mentioned above, it kills the flow of the game. It also creates a "centre stage" for referees who crave the spotlight, such as Mike Dean, to become the stars of the show .
AZ_RBB
Guest
Dream on. Fifa have invested way too much money in this to let this fail. They will push regardless of how badly it goes.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Painful. Let's hope FIFA are unhappy with the test and it doesn't get implemented.
Barto
Guest
I really dislike the entire idea of video reviews. Yes, they may overturn some bad decisions, but at what cost? Making football, one of the few sports that has a continuous flow, a stop start affair risks affecting the viewing experience. Add to that, that unless you are reviewing everything bad decisions will still get made, which will introduce greater angst from fans when these unreviewable decisions go against them (fouls, yellow cards, offsides) Invest more money in referee’s and leave the technology for the TV pundits. Yes every team may end up with some controversial decisions against them, but over time these will even out. Not to mention, that some infamous bad referee decisions have become legend, part of the history of the game, part of the folklore of being a football supporter. Would you want a world without the hand of god?