The Rational Ref | IFAB dinosaurs reject trial run for video technology to assist soccer referees
Eight-member panel acting as guardians of the game's official laws rejects a proposal to authorise the trial run of video-based assistance for referees
Technology in soccer has always been an abhorrent matter, with many "dinosaurs" in the game regarding it as pure evil.
Last week, the game's panel of prehistoric "Powers That Be" reinforced its stubborn and narrow-minded reputation by voting against authorising a live trial of video-based assistance for referees.
The International Football Association Board failed to reach agreement on sanctioning an experiment that would allow refereeing decisions to either be confirmed or overturned using broadcast footage.
It is likely to take several more years for video assistants to be fully introduced in soccer
The guardians of the game lack courage, foresight and planning, especially when a trial has already been in operation for the past season in the Netherlands. The Dutch FA has diligently conducted closed tests using video assistant referees.
This is where the match referee is helped by another official who is sitting in a van parked near the stadium, watching live TV coverage and instant replays. The preliminary findings are encouraging and the Dutch FA wanted to extend this to a proper trial in 25 cup matches.
However, instead of embracing this concept of video assistants and investing in further research, the eight-member IFAB panel - comprising four Fifa representatives and the FA heads from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - stuck their heads in the sand and will not discuss this issue again until at least this time next year.
FA chief Greg Dyke, one of the eight members of the IFAB, said he "would be open to a trial in [England] to help speed things along". Dyke was obviously in the minority, where six votes were needed to endorse changes.
