FIFA might approve multi-referee system

(GSM) – Thierry Henry handball controversy against Ireland has instigated Fifa to approve Michel Platini’s plan of having five referees at each match of next summer’s World Cup finals.

The governing body has decided to trail an extra official behind each goal in this seasons Europa League to ensure we have an extra eye for better refereeing.

The proposal would then go to the International Football Association Board, the game’s rule-making body, for a vote but it would almost certainly be passed.

A Fifa committee member alleged, “The mood is that something has to be done and the easiest solution is to bring in the extra assistant referees,” quotes Telegraph.co.uk.

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is also keen to see two extra officials introduced.

Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Johannesburg, he said: “You do have a lot of problems in the penalty area, and it would help if there were two extra men behind the goal to help the referee. Fifa should consider this.”

Houllier also revealed he was favour of goal-line technology and believes it could help solve rows like the one created by Henry’s handball.

“With the Thierry Henry handball as an example, the fourth official should have a monitor,” he said. “It would have saved Thierry a lot of abuse.”

The IFAB which is made up of the four home associations, with each have a vote, must receive six out of eight in favor of the multi-referee system for it to me implemented. FIFA has four votes, while England are also nailed on to back FIFA. Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has already admitted that he would look kindly on the five-referees plan UEFA will surely vote in favor as they will not want to upset them in the year of their bid for the 2018 World Cup.