A-League set to trial goal line referee in AIS pilot project that could lead to change
Tom Smithies
- From:The Daily Telegraph
- November 28, 201312:00AM
Referee Ben Williams gestures towards Trent Sainsbury of the Mariners. Photo: Brendon ThorneSource: Getty Images
A PILOT project next week could lead to the A-League following the lead of the European Champions League and using extra referees behind each goal.
Acutely aware of the continued criticism of refereeing standards in the A-League, A-League bosses will experiment at next week's State Institute Challenge in Canberra with the extra officials, assistant referees who monitor the play in the penalty area.
Though the concept has been used in the Champions League and European championship games since 2010-11, and in the Europa League two years before that, Football Federation Australia wants its own evaluation - and if it's judged a success, is likely to become a preferred option in the effort to raise officiating standards.
UEFA introduced the extra officials as the brainchild of president Michel Platini, as a more wide-ranging solution than goal line technology in the context of appraising key incidents.
A video by UEFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina uses the closed-circuit audio between officials to demonstrate the assistants advising the referees on penalty calls, corners and diving as well as whether the ball had crossed the line in disputed goals.
It's also meant to allow the existing assistant referees to concentrate on getting off-side calls correct and not also look for other fouls.
Australian refereeing bosses have noted that it could be used as a quick and relatively inexpensive way of helping A-League referees, who have come under fire for not keeping pace with the increased professionalism of the competition.
A major review has been ongoing for months examining myriad ways of improving the quality of referees here, and is likely to recommend the introduction of a group of four to five professional and full-time referees when its completed next year.
But A-League boss Damien De Bohun said the extra officials would also become a serious option if the trial proved successful.
"Clearly we're not going to the trouble of running a pilot like this just for theoretical reasons, if it seems to improve the quality of decision-making then it becomes something we'll look at seriously," he said.
"I can't say to you now that we have a specific date by which it will be introduced, but it's a really, really interesting option for us to consider.
"Ultimately it all comes down to improving the quality and accuracy of the decisions taken at key moments that affect games. Having an extra pair of eyes for the referee could well help in that respect."
Both FIFA and the English Premier League have opted to introduce goal line technology, but that has been ruled out here on cost grounds.
Quality > quantity
The refs on the goal will probably be just as ■■■■ and useless as the linesmen anyway.
within a year WSW v.s Victory will take over as the biggest rivalry in Australian football imo
I agree.
I don't. It will be the biggest rivalry in the eyes of the media but in the eyes of most fans AU and SFC will always be more hated than WSW.
I think the bums on seats measurement will eventually make it so. What do the smurfs get for a home big blue match? If the Wanderers play a home game against Victory at SFS it would have to go close to selling it out. I suspect the Wanderers probably cannot do that contractually. In which case maybe they may go for the big game at the Olympic stadium (if possible) and a big crowd there will almost seal it as the biggest rivalry in the game, that and some sustained success on the part of WsW. Just my opinion.
To the away game Victory fans here, which crowd/opponent creates the best atmosphere at an away venue (not the most hospitable for Victory supporters). I don't know but I am wondering. I would guess it would be the Wanderers.
Done all away bar Jets,Nix,Perth.
The Atmosphere at Parra is great but if AU are winning well hindmarsh is jumping was over when the beat us 4-2 last year and it was great. If roar got bigger crowds at suncorp it would be awesome. SFC crowds are dead and CCM don't have a crowd.
within a year WSW v.s Victory will take over as the biggest rivalry in Australian football imo
I agree.
I don't. It will be the biggest rivalry in the eyes of the media but in the eyes of most fans AU and SFC will always be more hated than WSW.
I think the bums on seats measurement will eventually make it so. What do the smurfs get for a home big blue match? If the Wanderers play a home game against Victory at SFS it would have to go close to selling it out. I suspect the Wanderers probably cannot do that contractually. In which case maybe they may go for the big game at the Olympic stadium (if possible) and a big crowd there will almost seal it as the biggest rivalry in the game, that and some sustained success on the part of WsW. Just my opinion.
To the away game Victory fans here, which crowd/opponent creates the best atmosphere at an away venue (not the most hospitable for Victory supporters). I don't know but I am wondering. I would guess it would be the Wanderers.
Done all away bar Jets,Nix,Perth.
The Atmosphere at Parra is great but if AU are winning well hindmarsh is jumping was over when the beat us 4-2 last year and it was great. If roar got bigger crowds at suncorp it would be awesome. SFC crowds are dead and CCM don't have a crowd.
SFC worst crowds, So dead and ADP shirts everywhere......Hard to find a non ADP #10 shirt in the crowd
Big game in Gosford tonight havn't won up there for years.
Aloisi gone if heart loses to the inbreds this week?
Also after promising that the c**t will play this week said player has not been seen at training all week and is highly unlikely to play
I seriously hope said player is not being paid by the club or the FFA. If so, he should give his money back.
Tonight’s the night I reckon, break the drought!
that piece of ■■■■ flores better not turn it on
I seriously hope said player is not being paid by the club or the FFA. If so, he should give his money back.
I think he is on a low wage. I am not 100% on this though. It would be nice if he did actually play soon.
Scotty: If Heart were to sack Aloisi, who would/could we replace him with? I am not so convinced he is going to be a great coach, but I don't see any logical replacements jumping up, though I would love JVS back.
leijer a key at the back tonight for the victory according to robbie slater
f*ck i can't stand that pouting tw@t
Have had bigger crowds at my under 18 D grade basketball games.
Was farking onside
■■■■■■■ hell. Dominated… watch them hit us on the the counter
Have had bigger crowds at my under 18 D grade basketball games.
A very small crowd! Is Scotty there?! :)
PULL THE FKING TRIGGER
All over them like a cheap suit.
FRk me victory are retarded in the final third
United 2-0 up after 15 minutes
Aloisi Goneski!!
Heart already 2 down to the inbreds. Well beyond a joke now
I want the heart to do okay, because we need two strong teams in Melbourne, but they're just embarrassing this season.