Extra assistants on duty in Europa League

Uefa have just announced that two additional assistant referees will be on duty at this seasons Europa League matches.

Celtic face Hapoel Tel Aviv away from home on Thursday and will experience the additional assistants for the first time.

The move seems a sensible one from Uefa and will be monitored by Fifa with a view to extending it's use.

The additional assistants will be placed behind the goal-line on the opposite side of the goal from the existing official, in Celtic Park terms this means that there will be an assistant between the Jock Stein and South Stand and also between the Lisbon Lions and North Stand.

ADDITIONAL
A Uefa statement read: "In essence the additional assistant referees will provide two extra pairs of eyes to monitor the game and ensure that the Laws of the Game are upheld, informing the referee of incidents of any kind that he may otherwise have missed, particularly in key areas of the field like the penalty area and its surroundings.

"The referee will remain in sole charge of the match and the only match official with decision-making powers.

"The additional assistant referees will be positioned on the opposite side of the goal from the assistant referee – to the left when viewed from the centre circle.

"Using a radio communication system to relay their recommendations to the referee but without flags, additional assistant referees will generally remain behind the goalline but may enter the penalty area when play moves towards the other end of the pitch so as to keep up with the action."

UEFA explanation

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