The video referee has already produced its first red card, coming in Ajax's Dutch Cup tie with Willem III.
Similar technology has been used in other sports such as Rugby, Cricket and Tennis over the years but it is only now that football is bringing it in to help referees with the incredibly difficult technology.
Of course, goal-line technology has been around for a couple of seasons now but the introduction of the video referee will make life even easier for the man in the middle, as demonstrated in Ajax's win over Willem III.
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Ajax were two goals to the good when Anouar Kali was shown his marching orders for a horror challenge on Lasse Schone. The referee, with the help of an assistant who was watching the game on a screen, was able to make the correct call and send the player off. In real time, the ref may well not have been able to accurately assess the challenge made and so he was greatly assisted by the video official.
With the game being played at such a frantic pace, surely it's only a matter of time before video technology becomes a regular thing to aid referees? It'd give Michael Owen and co. much less to talk about anyway when it comes to reviewing decisions.
Should the Premier League follow suit with the use of a video referee? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football, Eredivisie, Premier League, Ajax, Netherlands