The introduction of video referees in the Premier League has moved a step closer — after the FA sent out a questionnaire that could see English football being used to trial the wider use of technology at matches.

Red cards, penalty kicks, goals, violent conduct, offsides and incidents off the ball — all could be up for video scrutiny, if the clubs are supportive.

The feedback will be used by the FA to formulate a strategy in time for the Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board in March.

Chelsea's Diego Costa (left) confronts Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista during this season's Premier League match

West Ham and Chelsea players surround the referee during their Premier League clash in October

Wayne Rooney (right) with referee Craig Pawson during Manchester United's draw with Newcastle

GRAHAM POLL'S VERDICT Hallelujah! That was my first reaction to the news that professional clubs are being asked their opinions on the introduction of technology prior to a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in March. When refereeing at the top level I was opposed to a wide-ranging introduction and indeed the yielding of match control to a video official or allowing managers a number of appeals against decisions. Both could seriously undermine the credibility and authority of the man in the middle and yield them virtually redundant. However, times have changed massively since 2007. The modern-day game is much faster and players dive and simulate far more often, which has made most referees change their approach to one which minimises penalising foul play. Decisions are examined almost forensically and no mistake is left unexposed. At least commentators and pundits acknowledge that at full speed and with only one view some decisions are tough to get right. Naturally, this news does not mean technology will be introduced any time soon — but at least it appears to be on the agenda. If nothing else let's just hope that IFAB allow a number of experiments in different leagues around the world as only then will we see which, if any, actually improve the game we love. Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini being away from the helm might help as they both appeared opposed to the introduction of any technology. Advertisement

It could be that the FA will volunteer the English leagues to be guinea pigs for experiments and studies using the new rules. Depending on the results of the questionnaire, the capability for video reviews could be in place as early as next season.

The FA letter was sent to the Premier League, Football League, Professional Footballers Association and League Managers Association, and was forwarded to Premier League clubs on December 18.

The clubs have been asked to return the questionnaires, either in writing or verbally, by January 6, with the Premier League intending to form a working group to report to their shareholders meeting on February 4.

In the FA's covering letter, which gives FA Head of Refereeing Neale Barry as a point of contact and is headed 'The use of technology in football', the FA make it plain that they are for the exploration of video assistance for referees, but want to progress only with the collaboration of the clubs and key stakeholders, such as players and managers.

It reads: 'The results of the questionnaire will help shape any proposals made to the IFAB for English football to conduct an experiment to further assess and explore the effectiveness of potential technology solutions.'

The FA warn that, even if the clubs are in favour, the IFAB has previously been resistant to the introduction of technology.

Barry is a member of the IFAB's Technical Advisory Panel — which also includes former referees Pierluigi Collina and David Elleray.

The last proposals regarding video assistance were made by the Dutch FA last year and were met with rebuttal. In the past, Major League Soccer and the Brazilian federation have also volunteered to hold trials.

If only a fragment of the process covered in the FA questionnaire is acted upon it would represent the most radical shake-up of football since the modern rules were formulated.

Referee Mark Clattenburg (second right) dismisses Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle in October

Norwich players surround referee Robert Madley in disbelief as he sent off Russell Martin (right)

Stoke City players confronted referee Michael Oliver as he dismissed Ibrahim Afellay (second left)

As well as asking the clubs what decisions would be open to review, the FA have also requested feedback on the length of time needed to review decisions, whether or not a break in play is necessary for decision reviews and whether an area of the stadium should be set aside for the match official to consult video.

The prospect of managerial challenges to calls made by the referee — a version of the decision review system in cricket — the chain of authority between match referee and video referee and the unsolicited intervention of the remote referee are also covered.