Video match official introduction receiving plaudits from football fans

  • 29/03/2017

The third match official tends to cop a fair bit of criticism in rugby union but they're hailing its introduction to football in Europe.

Trialled once before in a friendly between France and Italy last year as well as in the FIFA Club World Club, the video match official has had its biggest impact so far after being called upon twice in the international friendly between Spain and France at the Stade de France in Paris.

In the 48th minute, Antoine Griezmann slid through on goal to put the home side up 1-0, however after a quick referral to the video match official upstairs, the goal was ruled out due to Griezmann being offside.

Instead of the lengthy delays that are often seen when the referee heads to the third match official in rugby, the call took less than a minute with play getting immediately underway.

The video match official was then called upon again after a goal to Everton forward Gerard Deulofeu had been disallowed by a linesman before it was referred upstairs and the decision reversed.

The A-League have announced a trial of the technology, flagging it for use in this season's final series. America's Major League Soccer (MLS) competition also announced the introduction of it from next season onwards. 

Similar to rugby, the video match official can only rule on red card offences or an act leading to a goal (whether it's a penalty or an offside, onside.)

Newshub.