Life as a referee is a lonely existence. Every decision is analysed to infinity and rarely is everyone happy.

Not a week goes by in Scottish football without a refereeing controversy dominating the back pages and phone-ins.

At times like these having your friends around you is essential and, if the experiment going on here in Cyprus proves successful, the football authorities might be about to offer our poor refs some respite.

A crack team of Scottish whistlers led by Iain Brines, under the watchful eye of Hugh Dallas, took charge of the U-19 European Championship qualifier between Georgia and Cyprus with the sixth official looking on from between the dug-outs.

Yes, that's right, the sixth official!

Here's the idea. Two extra assistants patrol the goal-line with all officials wired up to offer immediate advice to the referee.

Some might think it will only complicate things but, having seen this in action and listened in on the officials' chit-chat during the game, in my view it really seems to work.

Uefa president Michel Platini is the driving force behind this experiment, looking to minimise incorrect decisions, which increasingly are the most important and most talked about aspect of the game.

It looks as if it's helpful to referees in terms of improving control of certain aspects of the game
Uefa's David Taylor

And Platini's general secretary, David Taylor, shares the Frenchman's enthusiasm.

"I think there's something in it," he told BBC Sport.

"It looks as if it's helpful to referees in terms of improving control of certain aspects of the game.

"It's control of the penalty area, holding, pulling, pushing that sort of thing. It's useful in terms of penalty-kick incidents.

"These are pretty critical and crucial decisions in games. And to have another pair of eyes seeing it from a different angle cannot do any harm."

William Gaillard, the special advisor to Platini, explained to me that often referees are caught up behind play with difficult angles which means on occasion they might think contact has been made between players.

With this system, the goal-line patroller can immediately confirm or pre-empt an incorrect decision by offering advice from a much better and closer angle.

If adopted, it's expected that this system would only be used at the top end of the game.

For those who believe technology should be used in football it seems this is another nail in the coffin, at least for the foreseeable future.

The authorities believe it is a game for the people, managed by people and going down the route of television replays will lead to the interruption of what's meant to be a free-flowing spectacle.

The results of this experiment will be discussed by Fifa and their international board in February. If it gets the go-ahead, players, managers, fans and referees might, for once, all be in agreement. Then again, probably not.


Good idea or a conspiracy waiting to happen?????

I think it's a good idea at the top levels of the game, not so sure about the increased expenses for 2 extra officials at semi-pro level and below.

I reckon it's ridiculous but much better than bringing technology into football.

Not quite sure how this would work. A poor ref standing on the goal line at any SPL ground is going to be within spitting distance of the fans for 90 mins. This would surely have an impact on their decision making wouldn't it?

While I can see the logic in it, I think it's a nonsense and the sooner it gets chased out, the better. You're talking about six officials watching the same match, but one guy still having the ultimate decision to make. There aren't enough referees talking to their linesmen as it is.

It's going to be a huge drain on personnel and costs, especially when referees are quitting on a regular basis, plus you would need to introduce it at all levels and not just at the top. After all, everyone plays the same game from international level down to the juniors and below that, so why should the lower level be left out?

I'm reluctant to go down the route of TV evidence, but it seems to be the most feasible option, but again you would need to administer it at all levels.

This will prove to be the latest in a long line of crackpot schemes from Sepp Blatter.

That's not much of an argument really - most amateur matches are played without linemen.

I think it's an idea well worth investigation and certainly shouldn't be dismissed.

Another Uefa brainstormer of an idea. I LOVE THIS BIT I HAVE C&P'D

And Platini's general secretary, David Taylor, shares the Frenchman's enthusiasm.

"I think there's something in it," he told BBC Sport.

"It looks as if it's helpful to referees in terms of improving control of certain aspects of the game.

"It's control of the penalty area, holding, pulling, pushing that sort of thing. It's useful in terms of penalty-kick incidents.

"These are pretty critical and crucial decisions in games. And to have another pair of eyes seeing it from a different angle cannot do any harm."

William Gaillard, the special advisor to Platini, explained to me that often referees are caught up behind play with difficult angles which means on occasion they might think contact has been made between players.


DID DAVID TAYLOR REALLY NEED AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT A BUSY PENALTY BOX IS LIKE FFS

It is bringing technology into football.

I think it's an OK idea, but not as good as bringing in replay technology which I believe, if implemented correctly, would cut down on the errors and allow the referee to make the right decision with minimal disruption to the game.

Don't also forget that Scottish refereeing gave the world Morag Pirie and look at how the great idea of the female referee has been taken on worldwide.

Stop giving sellickfootballclub dodgy penalties and every decision in general. That would be far more ground breaking It'll never catch on though.

can you imagine the conspiracy dwellers here!!

its a full blown masonic meeting
there meeting to elect to a new pope

etc etc

Morag Pirie is no worse than any other referee.

As for this idea, where are these officials going to come from? Theres not enough taking up refereeing as it is.

Read the article again, it's Platini's idea.