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Technology will be used to make the key decisions in football within the next 10 years, according to a new survey of football fans.
Ahead of the new Premier League season, bookmaker William Hill asked 2,000 football fans what changes they expected to see appear in the game over the next decade. Greater use of technology is widely expected, with more than half of those asked saying video refereeing will be used to make decisions.
Off the pitch, 19% also said they believed iris scanners will come into use at turnstiles as a way for fans to enter stadiums instead of using physical tickets.
The first £200 million transfer fee, female referees and the introduction of a winter break all made the top 10 too.
More innovation for those watching at home was also put forward, with 38% saying they would be encouraged to watch more games on TV if cameras were fitted to the players, so they could see the game from their perspective.
Professor Tony Collins from the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University said: “Over the next 10 years there could be a number of changes to professional football in the UK and abroad.
“Formation of a European ‘super league’, where the top flight teams from across the continent leave their domestic leagues, could be one of the most significant changes in the history of football.
“The introduction of a winter break for players, which is already in place in Germany, Spain, France and Italy, is already very much under consideration by the Football Association.
“Innovations in technology will also play a huge role, bringing fans closer to the action. Cameras rigged to players could give an incredible insight into the point of view of players on the pitch, alongside developments in video refereeing and post-match convictions via video playback.”
