Jim Boyce, FIFA Referees Committee chairman and Britain's FIFA vice-president, says he has changed his mind over video technology in football, which he now backs for penalty area incidents. The issue of video replays is on the agenda for the annual meeting of the International FA Board (IFAB) in Belfast on Saturday, and given fresh impetus by another weekend of Premier League controversy. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho pointed to four incidents in his side's 1-1 draw with Burnley, including two penalty claims that were rejected by referee Martin Atkinson and two challenges on his players by the Clarets' Ashley Barnes that were not penalised. Former referees' chief Keith Hackett told TalkSport that Atkinson's performance was arguably the worst refereeing performance in Premier League history.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested managers should be allowed two appeals for incidents to be reviewed via video replays, while trials have been taking place in Holland where the referee is updated via a headset from an official watching the match on TV. Boyce (photo), head of FIFA Referees Committee, does not support Blatter's idea but has come around to limited use of replays and will make his views known at the meeting of the law-making body IFAB. He told Press Association Sport: “I was always in favour of goal-line technology but not other forms of technology but I have started to change my mind. I believe that if there are major decisions on incidents in the 18-yard box and technology is available then I think the time has come that it should be used. The fourth official or another official could be in a room with a TV screen and be in contact with the referee if he is unsure or has missed something. So many high-profile mistakes appear to be being made so maybe we do have to look at this now - but only for the penalty box - I don't think you can do it for every incident in the middle of the pitch”.
Source: TalkSport
