LaLiga backs refereeing innovation

On 12 August, LaLiga sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation's Technical Committee of Referees asking it to begin trials with video assistant referees. LaLiga, which is highly involved in the game's technological development, explained in a statement that the project, which was put forward by the International Football Association (IFAB) at its 130th annual general assembly in Cardiff in March, will continue in its test stage until 2018 or 2019. 

In its letter, LaLiga asked the RFEF to contact the IFAB in order to trial the technology in the 2017/18 Copa del Rey (from the last 32) and the Spanish Super Cup, as these competitions are best suited due to their format.

Following an initial trial of video assistant referees (VAR) by the Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, US, Brazilian and Australian football federations, these federations have confirmed that they will include several of their competitions in this trial phase. A significant number of other countries are close to joining the project.

LaLiga understands that video assistant referees offer a decisive contribution to making football fairer, eliminating human error, something which is inexcusable in today's technological society. It is also in keeping with fans' and society as a whole's need for fair-play, something also backed by football's main governing bodies, who also support this project.