SYDNEY/AUCKLAND: The imminent Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will feature Following successful implementation at the recent FIFA U-20 World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, there will be in-stadium explanations from the referee communicating the final decision about a VAR decision.

Referees’ committee chairman Pierluigi Collina said: “We wanted to give more transparency and more understanding to the decision made by the referee. So, once the decision has been taken, once the decision-making process is over, the referee before starting play will make an announcement through the pubic address system at the stadium.

“In terms of match official preparation basically there is no difference between what was done for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and what has been done for this Women’s World Cup. Another example is [that] the technology which has been implemented is exactly the same technology which worked at the World Cup in Qatar.”

This includes the debut of semi-automated offside technology at a Women’s World Cup after its successful introduction at the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year.

In addition, the Official Match Ball, OCEAUNZ, will feature connected ball technology providing precise data in real time to assist resolution of close offside decisions.

Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita has been named to officiate the tournament’s Opening Match between New Zealand and Norway, with Brazilian Edina Alves appointed for Australia-Republic of Ireland later on Thursday.

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