Radio experiment for referees

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has given world football's governing body FIFA permission to experiment with a two-way referee communication system.

Improved co-ordination
At the 117th annual general meeting of the IFAB, which comprises the English Football Association, the Scottish Football Association, the Football Association of Wales and the Irish Football Association, FIFA was authorised to test the use of a two-way high-frequency radio communication between the match officials. "The use of such a system would improve the co-ordination of actions between the match officials in a more efficient manner," said FIFA, who added that the first test was likely to be conducted in June at the FIFA Confederations' Cup in France.

No video evidence
The IFAB, meeting in Belfast at the weekend, also decided against the use of video evidence to alter referees' decisions. "The board reconfirmed its previous position that the decisions of the referee, and in particular factual decisions related to the result of a match, are final," said FIFA.

Shoot-out procedure
An amendment made to the Laws of the Game at the Belfast gathering involves the penalty shoot-out procedure. The team which wins the toss will now have the choice of whether to take the first or second kick. In additional instructions for referees, assistant referees and fourth officials, the IFAB decided that a provision should be included to remind referees to apply the law correctly when players infringe by entering the penalty box before the ball has been kicked, or when goalkeepers move off the goalline before the ball has been kicked at a penalty. The board also reaffirmed that players should not be dismissed temporarily from the field of play at any level of the game.

Trial continues 
It was also decided to continue an experiment in England's professional leagues, in which play is moved forward 9.15 metres if a free-kick is delayed by a player not respecting the required distance or showing dissent. FIFA intends to try the experiment at its Under-17 World Championship in Finland in August.