FIFA approves video replay trials

FIFA says competitions in six countries, including Australia's A-League, have been approved to run experiments with video replays.

The off-line experiments won't involve referees but FIFA says live trials could be run in games next year.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday he hoped "video assistant referees" will be used to support refs at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The experiments will take place in Australia's A-League, Germany's Bundesliga, the league and cups in Portugal, Major League Soccer in the United States as well as unspecified competitions in Brazil and the Netherlands.

Video replay officiating would be restricted to decisions on goals being scored, penalties being awarded, players being sent off and cases of mistaken identity.

The only technology currently used in soccer is to rule on disputed goals.