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FIFA Set To Fast-Track Extra Officials In Time For World Cup
Five referees to officiate matches in next summer's finals.
01-Dec-2009 10:10:53 PM
FIFA will announce tomorrow the decision to appoint five officials to each match; positioning an extra referee behind each goal-line, according to a report in The Guardian.
The report states that an emergency meeting has been called as a response to the Republic of Ireland's grievances over the goal, assisted by Thierry Henry's handball, that proved pivotal in the nation's World Cup play-off defeat by France, who progressed to the finals of the tournament in South Africa.
An executive committee member from FIFA is reported to have said: "The mood is that something has to be done and the easiest solution is to bring in the extra assistant referees."
The Football Associations of both England and Scotland are also expected to endorse the procedure. Gordon Smith, the chief executive of the Scottish FA, has already voiced his approval, while the English FA will not want to harm their bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
The new system is currently in an experimentation phase, and was a brainchild of UEFA president Michel Platini.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com UK
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