UEFA are backing a change to football's rules to allow two extra assistant referees in the penalty area at free-kicks and corners.
The idea, put forward by UEFA president Michel Platini, is to be trialled at
youth tournaments as an alternative to goal-line technology.
The experiment will include using the assistants both behind the goal-line and
inside the penalty box as extra eyes and ears for the referee.
William Gaillard, UEFA's communications director and Platini's special
adviser, told PA Sport: 'Michel Platini has put forward a suggestion to have
two extra assistant referees - one at each end.
'Some people say it is better for them to stay behind the goal, others that
it is better inside the penalty area so that things that go on like pulling and
pushing are properly sanctioned.
'They would be just like the linesmen talking through radio system to the
referee, who would then take a decision.
'We have the go-ahead from the International FA Board to conduct trials on
this and we believe it could work - the game is a lot faster than it used to be
and in some instances assistant referees are physically unable to keep up with
play all the time.'
