A trial of the use of video assistant referees for “game-changing decisions” in football will begin no later than the 2017-18 season.
The news was confirmed following a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Cardiff.
Technology would only be applied to key incidents concerning goals, red cards, mistaken identities and penalties.
IFAB says it has had interest in hosting live trials from 12 national associations and one confederation.
The new Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who believes greater use of technology within the game is inevitable, called it an “historic” day for the sport and said the decision proved they were “listening to football” over its concerns.
The IFAB, which is made up of the four British football associations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Fifa, insist that a final decision on approving the technology for use throughout football will only be made following a thorough period of testing and an agreement on the protocols for its use.
Infantino said: “We cannot close our eyes to the future but it doesn’t mean to say it will work.
“The flow of the game is crucial. We cannot put that in danger. That is why we have to be open to test.”
In addition to the video technology trials, IFAB has also decided to end the ‘triple punishment rule’.
It means in instances where the referee feels defenders have made a legitimate attempt to make a tackle inside the penalty area, they will not be sent off if they commit a foul. A penalty and, possible goal against their team, is deemed sufficient punishment.
This would not apply when the offence is holding, pushing or pulling, the defender does not attempt to play the ball or the offence would be worthy of a red card if it had been committed elsewhere in the penalty area.
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Source: BBC