Why we will have to wait three years for real change

THE Premier League will have to wait at least three seasons before video technology can be possibly be introduced. It is the Dutch FA (KNVB) who are leading the way in trials of a system to aid referees. However, their bid to introduce the technology in cup matches from next season was rejected by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) last month. Given the increasing number of controversies in the Premier League, referees’ chief Mike Riley (right) has called for its arrival in the English top-flight. But the IFAB have delayed any decision for 12 months at least, meaning the earliest we could see video assistance for referees will be the 2017/18 season. The Dutch are certainly confident their process could work. It involves a fifth official located in a video room with access to instant replays. During Eredivisie games they have been trialling how long it would take that official to make a correct judgment on key incidents only, such as red cards, penalties and fouls before goals. They have found that an average of two to three crucial decisions per game can each be resolved within five to 20 seconds, with the official having a direct audio link to the referee. Should the IFAB give the go-ahead for trials of this system – or another one – in competitive matches during the 2016/17 campaign, they would then want to see it used in a FIFA age-grade tournament before giving permission for video technology to be implemented in the Premier League and elsewhere around the world. Meanwhile, the notion of a ‘challenge system’ for managers has been rejected for fear of it being used for tactical gain. FA chairman Greg Dyke will offer his full backing to any attempts to expand the use of video technology and will even volunteer English football to operate trials. ‘In 20 years we’ll look back and say: “Wasn’t it quaint that we didn’t use video technology?”’ said Dyke. ‘When we discussed it at IFAB, even the ones who were most against it accept it’s going to happen. ‘If we’re going to do it sometime, why don’t we do it now? We are 100 per cent behind it. I suspect we would like to do an experiment, but you’d have to get that through IFAB.’