UEFA set to extend ‘five-referee’ experiment

IT came too late to save the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams but it seems the furore surrounding Thierry Henry’s infamous handball in Paris last November has persuaded UEFA of the need to give referees greater assistance.

UEFA yesterday announced that the five-referee experiment involving extra linesmen behind each goal, which was piloted in the Europa League last season, will be extended to theChampions League and Euro 2012 qualifiers next season.

The system, backed by UEFA president Michel Platini, features two extra linesmen, one behind each goal, to help referees spot penalty area infringements and determine whether the ball has crossed the line.