New Technologies and Rule Changes Prove Successful

The FIFA Club World Cup saw the successful introduction of several new technologies and rule changes, according to FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina. The tournament, the first to feature an expanded 32-team format, served as a testing ground for these innovations.

One of the most notable additions was the use of body cameras on referees. Collina reported that the "ref cam" exceeded expectations, offering unique perspectives for both television viewers and referee training. The footage provided valuable insights into the referees' field of vision and decision-making processes.

The footage was used not only for entertainment but also for referee development. It allowed for a better understanding of the challenges referees face on the field, such as obstructed views. Collina highlighted a specific instance where the body camera revealed a referee's inability to see a handball due to a blocked line of sight.

Another significant change was the implementation of an eight-second rule for goalkeepers holding the ball. This rule, which resulted in a corner kick if a goalkeeper held the ball for longer than eight seconds, aimed to increase the tempo of the matches. Collina stated that the rule was very successful, preventing time-wasting by goalkeepers.

In addition, an advanced version of semi-automated offside technology was deployed, contributing to faster and more accurate offside calls. A total of 117 match officials officiated the 63 matches played during the tournament.