Video assistance to debut at 2016 Club World Cup

FIFA has announced that video assistance will be introduced in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan from Dec. 8-18. The new technology will be used to support officials in making "match-changing" decisions which may have been missed by the referee.

"This represents a big step forward in terms of testing the technology," said Marco van Basten, FIFA's chief officer of technical development.

"We feel well prepared after setting everything up with the support of The IFAB, the host broadcaster Dentsu/NTV and Hawk-Eye - one of a number of providers that offer such technology.

"At the same time, it's important to remember that we are entering somewhat unchartered territory here, given that we are going live for the first time."

The introduction of goal-line technology in 2012 effectively eliminated the potential for a shot to be disallowed if it was clearly over the line.

This technology now exists at every ground in Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Premier League, replacing the uncertain with a constant measure.

Four years later and FIFA has already prepared the next wave of technological advancements in the sport.

"Ultimately, these tests should prove invaluable in terms of determining whether the processes are sound or whether any further refinements are needed," Van Basten added.

The trials are set to include video assistant referees (VARs) working in tandem with the referee on the field of play to communicate anything the official may have missed.

The VARs will be located inside a video operations room and will be in communication with the referee in order to correct any significant decisions that could have the potential to alter the result of the match.

"The VAR system has been developed, just like goal-line technology, to provide additional support for the referee," FIFA's head of refereeing Massimo Busacca explained.

"We want the essential flow of the game to be maintained and, as always, the first and the final decisions lie with the referee."

Apart from merely listening to the VARs, FIFA claims the first official will be able to review footage on a monitor set up on the touchline for more complex decisions.

Twelve countries have agreed to trial the video assistance technology: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, and the U.S.A.