Referees tuned in for UEFA tests
Thursday, February 9, 2006
Article summary
Tests on a communication system which allows referees to speak with their assistants and the fourth official will begin in the UEFA Cup next week.
Article body
Four matches
The four matches are: FC Basel v AS Monaco FC (refereed by Dutchman Jan Wegereef); LOSC Lille Métropole v FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Italy's Gianluca Paparesta); FC Schalke 04 v RCD Espanyol (Italy's Roberto Rosetti) and FC Thun v Hamburger SV (Sweden's Martin Hansson). The system (featuring an open microphone and an earphone) will allow the assistants and the fourth official to communicate with the referee and vice-versa, as well as to hear what is being said on the pitch.
Full tests
"The decision to conduct a full battery of tests comes following the proposal of the UEFA Referees Committee, which also stressed the importance of the tests being carried out at the highest level of the game in order to test the system in a real big-match atmosphere," said the European body.
Closed circuit
"The referee communication system, aimed at allowing quicker exchange of information, could be of help in several situations, such as substitutions, additional time, the identity of a cautioned player and fouls which occur out of the sight of the referee. The system is a closed circuit and will not be used in any way for TV broadcast."
Results awaited
The system is already used in both France and Scotland, and depending on the results of the tests, UEFA will decide whether or not to extend its use for its leading competitions. “UEFA is in favour of technological help, provided it has no incidence on the fluidity of play and provided it could not undermine the authority of the referee," UEFA said.
