FIFA is testing referee microphones at Club World Cup

• Uruguayan referee Andres Matonte was able to explain why he awarded.
• The International Football Association Board approved the trial last month.
• FIFA are considering further trials at the Under-20 World Cup.

The current FIFA Club World Cup is being utilized as a test case for yet another potential refereeing revolution in football, with spectators hearing officials defend their choices after VAR checks.

Football referees are only now being tested with microphones attached, just as the sport is still getting used to video assistant referees and semi-automated offside technology. Referees with microphones are nothing new in other sports like the NFL.

Andres Matonte, a referee from Uruguay, was able to clearly explain why he gave Real Madrid a late penalty during the Spanish club’s 4-1 victory against Al Ahly in the semifinal in Rabat on Wednesday after coming across to evaluate a potential foul in the box.

“Penalty decision, foul by number 17,” Matonte said, referring to Al Ahly’s Amr El Solia’s challenge on Real forward Vinicius Junior. The kick by Luka Modric was then saved.

Matonte’s conversations with the Video Assistant Referee were kept private, but his brief announcement was transmitted over stadium loudspeakers, much to the joy of the audience, with the majority of fans supporting the European winners.

The International Football Association Board, the sport’s lawmakers, approved the trial last month with English FA chief executive Mark Bullingham — who sits on the board — stating it was “essential in terms of transparency”.

At the Under-20 World Cup, which will take place in Indonesia in May and June, FIFA is contemplating further trials.

If the system is proven successful, it might be used for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.

“I think this would benefit the fans,” said Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees committee.

“We’re just getting started, this is our first time doing it, so it won’t be perfect…but I’m convinced the outcome will be positive.”

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