Video technology to aid referees in FA Cup next season with replays used for goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity

• FA in advanced talks about trialling video technology in FA Cup next term
• Referees will be able to request incidents to be reviewed in the competition
• Video assistant referees can also bring a situation to the official's attention
• VAR equipment is easier and cheaper to install than goal-line technology 
• Referees having access to tablets on the touchline will also be trialled
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The Football Association are in advanced talks about trialling video technology to assist referees next season.

They have identified the FA Cup as a suitable competition to test the technology.

An extra official will watch the action on screen, be able to pan around the pitch, zoom in and out of incidents and have constant radio communication with the officials on the pitch. 

Video technology will be trialled to help correct cases of mistaken identity, such as that of Kieran Gibbs

Referee Mark Clattenburg signals for a decision during the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday

A referee will be able to request a situation to be reviewed or the video assistant referee (VAR) can bring an incident to the official's attention.

Referees having access to tablets on the touchline to review incidents will also be trialled.

Video replays will be used to help referees with decisions on four key areas — goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.

This will go some way to stopping the problem of grappling in the penalty area at set-pieces and corners which has polluted the game in recent years, because referees will have instant access to replays giving a clearer picture of what happened.

Premier League referees, in particular, have come under increasing pressure with every decision scrutinised by TV replays available to pundits and viewers.

Turkey manager Fatih Terim showed the fourth official a replay of Harry Kane's offside goal on a smartphone on the touchline during England's win on Sunday. before having the device confiscated.

There is a feeling at the FA that similar incidents will become commonplace in the near future with clubs being able to watch video replays instantly on tablets, phones and, potentially, watches.

Video replays will go some way to stopping the problem of grappling in the penalty area at set-pieces

Unlike goal-line technology, which is only running in the Premier League in this country because of its cost, VAR equipment is easier and cheaper to install because it uses the broadcast equipment already in place with special software installed on computers. There are cameras at every Football League ground which could support this.

The FA have held meetings with the Premier League, Football League and the referees' governing body to consider trials of the technology across the English game.

A three-day meeting run by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) — FIFA's law- makers — was held in Holland last week, explaining how VAR works. It was attended by FA chief executive Martin Glenn, former referee David Elleray and current FA Head of Senior Referee Development Neale Barry.

Turkey manager Fatih Terim showed the fourth official a replay of Harry Kane's offside goal on Sunday 

England were one of 15 countries who took part in the discussions and those interested in testing the technology have until the end of May to notify, so that officials can be trained and the system can be put in place.

It is believed that the FA will signal their intent to take part.

The Dutch FA have already been running initial trials of the technology.

The trials, starting in August, will take place for at least two years and, provided they are successful, will be signed off by IFAB and could become part of the official rulebook by 2018.

Former Premier League referee David Elleray (right) has headed an 18-month review for the IFAB