Abuja – Video technology was used to correct two wrong decisions as Spain beat France in a friendly in Paris Tuesday night.
France striker Antoine Griezmann had a goal ruled out by a video assistant referee for offside.
And Spain’s second goal, scored by Gerard Deulofeu, was awarded by the video official after an assistant referee wrongly flagged for offside.
David Silva had opened the scoring for Spain with a penalty kick after Laurent Koscielny fouled Deulofeu.
Griezmann thought he had given France the lead with a header but referee Felix Zwayer reversed his initial decision after receiving a message in his earpiece from the video assistant referee.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the video assistant referee was sat in a truck outside the Stade de France venue of the match.
Replays showed Layvin Kurzawa was narrowly offside when he headed the ball to Griezmann, with the decision to overturn the goal made in about 30 seconds.
Deulofeu’s goal — from a Jordi Alba cross — was awarded after a conversation between the referee and the video assistant that lasted about a minute.
There appeared to be no player protests about either decision.
NAN reports that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is currently undergoing trial runs, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino keen to employ the system during the World Cup in Russia next year.
It was first used in September, in France’s 3-1 friendly win in Italy, and both the Spanish and French football associations agreed to its use during Tuesday’s match.
“If it is verified and it is fair, why not (use VAR)?” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “It changes our football a little.
“It is against us today [Tuesday], but if we have to go through this, it will be the same for everyone.
“Afterwards, without [VAR], it would have been different, but it is the evolution of football. That is how it will be.”
VAR has also been used at the FIFA Club World Cup, and the Football Association in England wants to use it in next season’s FA Cup from the third round onwards.
