Fifa begins trials of TV replays

Television replays to assist referees will be used for the first time in Fifa competition with trials to take place during the Club World Cup Japan.

Video assistant referees (VARs), who will be given access to all broadcast feeds inside a video operations room, will be able to advise the on-field official of errors in “match-changing” situations.

The referee will then be able to review footage on a pitchside monitor for certain decisions, which is a key progression from the ‘semi-live’ tests conducted at recent international friendly matches in Italy.