Fifa may let clubs sign a 'joker'

Fifa, football's world governing body, are to test an experimental scheme suggested by the legendary French forward Michael Platini where extra assistant referees will be stationed behind each goal.

The system, which will be tested next year, was announced yesterday following a meeting between the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, and a French football federation delegation. Blatter also said that Fifa will consider proposals to allow clubs to make one signing each – a so-called "joker" – outside transfer windows.

The experiment with officials behind the goal-lines is now likely to be on trial during the Confederations Cup in France next June. France, Brazil, Cameroon, the United States, New Zealand, Colombia, Japan and one other team yet to be confirmed are taking part.

On transfers, the French delegation urged Fifa to adopt the system in use in their league when clubs can sign a joker when the window is closed. The worldwide enforcement of the transfer window system has drawn criticism this summer, with English clubs notably opposed to its introduction. Fifa's Players' Status Committee will also reconsider proposals by the Football League for clubs in the First, Second and Third Divisions to be exempt from the transfer window.

Fifa's new disciplinary regulations to enforce immediate suspensions for red cards will also prevent referees changing their minds after viewing incidents on video. The new regulations follow a decision by Fifa's executive committee last week that any player who is sent off will have to serve an immediate one-match ban with no right of appeal.

It had been understood that decisions could still be changed if referees believed they had made an error but that is now ruled out in all circumstances except mistaken identity.