NEW DELHI The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has said it will continue the use of Video Umpire Team Referrals at the FIH World Cup, taking place in New Delhi from 28 February to 13 March.
Under the current procedures, match umpires may refer decisions to the video umpire when they are not convinced that they have taken, or are able to take, the correct decision relating to the awarding or disallowing of goals.
On the basis of the trial that was undertaken at the Champions Trophy in Melbourne, each team will be allowed one referral during any match. In the event that a team referral is upheld, the referring team will retain its right of referral.
There is one change to the video umpire procedures following the Melbourne trials, any team player, who is on the pitch at the time of the incident (rather than just the captain), can request a referral.
“We learned a lot about the team referral procedures in Melbourne. As a result we are confident that our experience from the Champions Trophy will help ensure that the system will be of real assistance in reducing any major umpiring errors which may impact upon the result of matches,” Ken Read, FIH Competitions Committee Chairman and FIH World Cup Tournament Director said.
