League of Ireland referees are under the microscope like never before.
Mirror Sport understands that three Premier Division games will be selected each week for a trial venture.
Software developed by an Estonian company is being used to forensically analyse the referee’s statistics and decision making in those specific matches.
Clips on all aspects of their performance will be collated and sent for assessment each week by an FAI panel, in part to track if calls in the game were made correctly or incorrectly.
Detailed statistics across a variety of headings will also be collated on each top flight referee, just like the plethora of player data that is available across most leagues.
For instance, information will be collected on how many free kicks a referee has awarded, what they have been awarded for and in what areas of the pitch.
Tabs will also be kept on penalty decisions and on card use, and for what infringements a particular official brandishes yellows and reds.
Meanwhile, players have been armed with a new weapon to combat match-fixing in the League of Ireland.
Every player in the league has received a code card and told to download the ‘Red Button’ app to their phones.
It is a mechanism to anonymously report gambling or match-fixing related concerns, although players can put their names to it if they wish.
There is an ongoing Garda investigation into alleged match-fixing in the league, with 15 people arrested to date.
And from this season, players face sanctions if they are found to have bet on any football worldwide – not just the competitions they play in here or in Europe.
If a player wishes to press the ‘Red Button’ they scratch the panel on the physical card to reveal a QR code which is then scanned into the app.
Information they submit is then sent to a handler in Amsterdam who decides if the issue is a matter for the national football federation, UEFA, Interpol or local police.
The app - used worldwide by players’ unions - was developed by the Finnish Football Association in conjunction with world players union FIFPro.
“This has been number one on our priority list as we visited all the clubs in pre-season,” said PFA Ireland general secretary Stephen McGuinness.
“We’re not saying it’s an issue, but our league is wide open to it. Players have occasionally been contacted on social media by strangers, looking for information.
“This app is a peace of mind for players and fans who will know that tools are being made available to report anything like this.”
