29 Mar 2017

Video technology used for last night’s France V Spain International friendly

Following on from the blog posted recently,  Video technology passed its most high-profile test in France’s clash with Spain on Tuesday night — after it ensured Antoine Griezmann’s goal was rightly ruled out for offside and Gerard Deulofeu’s strike was correctly awarded.

The revolutionary video technology has been used before — notably in this season’s Club World Cup and France’s match with Italy last September. But the friendly match at the Stade de France was arguably the biggest fixture in which it has been used to date — and on two crucial occasions after half-time the technology proved its worth.

Antoine Griezmann looked to have given France the lead early in the second half when he headed home Layvin Kurzawa’s square ball.

But as France celebrated — and Spain protested — the referee consulted with his video assistants who ensured justice was served.

Within a matter of seconds the goal had been scratched out after officials watching on screens ruled that Kurzawa had strayed offside in the build-up.

Minutes later — following Silva’s opener for Spain — the video assistants were called upon again.

After Deulofeu latched on to a Jordi Alba through ball and turned the ball past Hugo Lloris, he was adjudged offside.

WHEN CAN VIDEO TECHNOLOGY BE USED?

Determined to maintain the ‘flow of the game’, the International Football Association Board set out strict criteria of when video technology can be used.

They hope to only remove ‘clear errors in match-changing situations’ with ‘minimum interference [and] maximum benefit’.

Examples of when it can be used:

– Goals (including offsides)

– Penalty decisions

– Red cards

– Cases of mistaken identity

‘We do not want to be NFL’, IFAB’s technical director David Elleray said, ‘we just want to get rid of headline mistakes and scandals.’

But, not everyone is a fan. Paul Ince, speaking during his ITV punditry duties on Tuesday night, wasn’t impressed and said ‘it still takes ages’.

He said: ‘All of a sudden, it’s quiet and there’s no atmosphere in the stadium. The only good thing about it is that there’s no players haranguing the referee.

‘But it still takes ages. The offside was close — it might grow on me in five years’ time. Listen we’ll have another chat in five years’ time.’

Plans are in place to introduce video technology to English football as early as next season, while the World Cup in Russia in 2018 could be the first major tournament in which it is used.