13.09.2010 13:58
Additional assistant referees for Champions League
www.fcbarcelona.cat
This year, matches in the Champions League will feature two additional assistant referees situated alongside the goals to help resolve any issues in the penalty area.
By increasing the number of officials from four to six, UEFA hopes to reduce to a minimum any
controversial mistakes. The format was tried last season in the Europa League and will be used for
the first time ever in the Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Additional assistant referees
An assistant referee will be situated alongside each goal to keep an eye on
everything that happens in the penalty area. However, the referee will still have the final say on
any decisions.
Six officials
Matches will now be controlled by a total of six officials: the referee, the two assistants
(or linesmen), the fourth official and the two additional assistant referees. Experiments with the
changes have been taking place since the under-19s European Championship in 2008.
An historical precedent
The presence of the two additional assistant referees on Tuesday will
be a first for the Camp Nou. However, in the 1920’s and 30’s, goalmouth referees were
used in the Club’s old Les Corts stadium.