US Soccer trials first video replay technology

Football fans, it’s finally here! Video referral technology has been trialled for the first time as football follows every other sport into the 21st century.

The technology will only be used when the referee is unsure about the decision, but also when it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the game. In a trial between Orlando B and New York Red Bulls II, it was used twice to good effect.

Former Premier League referee David Elleray – now head of the International Football Association Board – told Sport Techie “The initial testing will deliberately have a limited focus to minimize the impact of the flow and emotions which are crucial to football.”

The very first decision made by video technology ended with the issuing of a red card, so it’s clear that the system’s impact on footballing emotion will be kept to a minimum:

Here's a look at the first Video Assistant Referee call to ever happen in a live competitive soccer match! #NYvORLhttps://t.co/b8mXnsrw2o

— USL (@USL) August 13, 2016

Football Club in social media faux pas

English football club Charlton Athletic have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, after issuing a letter to a supporter asking him to sign an ‘Agreed Behavioural Contract’ to make sure he doesn’t step out of line by criticising the club and its owners on social media.

Absolute disgrace from the Charlton hierarchy! And not one media outlet highlighting it! Force the owners OUT! pic.twitter.com/TqrXo18Val

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) August 12, 2016

The offending letter was shared on social media by football ‘journaliste’ Stan Collymore, who asked why the media are doing nothing about this story. Well, consider it done, Stan!

Twitter to stream sport on Apple TV?

Don’t you love it when two huge beasts of the media world come together to make an unholy huge-r beast of the media world?

Well, the Daily Mail reports that Twitter’s share prices have jumped after the social media giant’s talks with Giant giant Apple over a deal to make Twitter’s streaming service available on Apple TV were reportedly leaked.

Twitter will stream content around MLB, NFL and NHL over the next few months, so watch this space, Apple users….

LA Galaxy becomes the first football club to partner with VR

MLS outfit LA Galaxy are taking fans closer to their players thanks to a new deal between the club and new VR partner Laduma.

#LAGalaxy are partnering with @Laduma to bring unique virtual reality experiences to fans: https://t.co/hEnfcENBUx pic.twitter.com/lElgRsAEWb

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 12, 2016

Laduma will create a six-part virtual reality series which will feature six different players and allow fans to don their stylish VR headsets and take a trip to see Robbie Keane drink a coffee during a period of downtime and get up close and personal with Nigel de Jong when he’s not two-footing a poor, unsuspecting centre forward.