IFAB: video assistance for referees to be used "only for clear errors in match-changing situations"

"Video Assistant Referees (VARs) represent one of the greatest potential technological changes to the Laws of the Game in The IFAB’s 131-year history, and members were reminded that VARs would be used only for clear errors in match-changing situations," stated the IFAB, following the 131^st Annual Business Meeting of the IFAB at Wembley, in London (ENG), on 03/11/2016.

The IFAB presented a comprehensive report of the first trials of VARs in the United States, during the Italy - France friendly match (1-3, on 01/09/2016) to Bari (ITA), and also in the Netherlands, said the International Board, adding: "The key question will always be for any reviewable incident: 'was the referee’s decision clearly wrong?'"

"The Annual Business Meeting shapes the agenda for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), where any proposed changes or amendments to football’s Laws of the Game can become binding. The ABM comprises the general secretaries of the four British associations, the FIFA Secretary General, technical experts of the five members, and the Executive Support Office of The IFAB. The 131^st IFAB AGM…