In a first, a touchline video assistant referee was employed during an official FIFA match. The historic moment took place during a Club World Cup semi-final clash in Osaka between Atletico Nacional and Kashima Antlers to award a penalty.
History made in Japan!🇯🇵@atlrs_english awarded penalty after #VAR assistance
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 14, 2016
More info 👉 https://t.co/qsYQbHeoyIhttps://t.co/n4e2vsyfUI
Referee Viktor Kassai ran to the touchline where he took 30 seconds to watch the replay of the incident that saw Kashima’s Daigo Nishi go to ground after Atletico defender Orlando Berrio seemed to have felled him.
Kassai pointed towards the spot soon after watching the replay. Kashima’s Shouma Doi scored from the subsequent penalty to lead his side to a 3-0 victory. Kashima will play either Real Madrid or Mexico’s Club America in the final.
The use of video referrals was confirmed last week by tournament organisers.