21 Jan 2008Uefa to test penalty box refs

Uefa has confirmed that it is trialing the use of two assistant referees in the penalty area.

The move will be tested at youth tournaments in a bid to counter goal-line technology, with the assistant referees communicating via a radio system.

William Gaillard, Uefa spokesperson explained: "The game's a lot faster now, it's hard to keep up with play all the time," adding that: "We have the go-ahead from the International FA Board to conduct trials on this and we believe it could work."

The extra referees would be situated behind the goal-line and inside the penalty box, where they would then report to the main referee.

In December 2007, Sunderland boss Roy Keane voiced interest in goal-line technology after his team were denied a point, believing there were "enough experts out there" to make it a viable option.

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