History made at CWC: first video review penalty awarded
Viktor Kassai was alerted to a spot of skulduggery in the area by the video referee and, after a quick review, gave Kashima a penalty in the 32nd minute.
Real Madrid - Kashima Antlers, Club World Cup Final 2016
Kashima Antlers were awarded the first penalty in the history of football decided by video evidence review in Wednesday’s Club World Cup match against Atlético Nacional.
Shoma Doi will be the answer to future quiz questions after the midfielder stepped up to slot the spot kick past Nacional keeper Franco Armani to give Kashima the lead.
Video referee intervenes
The incident took place in the first half, when Nacional winger Orlando Berrío tripped Kashima full back Daigo Nishi in the area, which was missed by match referee Viktor Kassai but spotted by the video referee, who alerted the official when play stopped 44 seconds later.
The Hungarian referee trotted to the touchline and after a brief video review awarded the penalty. The decision was not without controversy as Nacional fans believed Nishi was offside when the challenge was made.
Minutes later, Nacional coach Reinaldo Rueda asked for video evidence to be used when he felt his side should have been awarded a spot kick, but Kassai refused his petition.
Video Assistant Referee system
Video evidence can only be used in the case of a contested goal due to offside, a foul, handball or other infractions. In the case of a penalty, video evidence can be called on if the action that led to the award is doubtful, or to determine whether a foul took place inside or outside the area. It can also be used to contest a red card and if the identity of a player who has committed a foul cannot be determined.
There are no additional cameras available to the match officials in the video room, who receive the same images that are broadcast on television. The match referee and his assistants are connected via earpiece and the review can work both ways, either the referee requesting a review of those in the video room alerting him to a possible infraction.
Fifa have been developing the Video Assistant Referee system since 2014 and it was approved for use in March of this year. It was previously used in friendly internationals between Italy and France in September and Italy against Germany in October, but the Club World Cup represents the first deployment of the system in an official competition.