2016 Club World Cup: the first FIFA competition with video assistantance for referees

"An important piece of history will be made at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016 (08 to 18/12/2016 in Yokohama and Osaka, Japan) with video assistance being used to support referees with 'match-changing' decisions for the first time in a FIFA competition," said FIFA, the organiser of the competition, on 07/12/2016.

The 13^th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup brings together the champions of the six confederations, as well as Kashima Antlers, the winners of Japan's first division, the host country. Eight matches will be played over five days and at two sites. The competition began on 08/12/2016, with the first round match between host representative Kashima Antlers and Auckland City FC (New Zealand), winner of the 2016 OFC Champions League (Kashima Antlers won 2-1).

"This trial will involve video assistant referees (VARs) being given access to all broadcast feeds inside a video operations room, enabling them to provide information to the referee on the field of play in order to correct clear mistakes in 'match-changing' situations. These include serious incidents including goals…