The J.League and Japan Football Association have announced that Additional Assistant Referees (AAR) will be introduced to select matches in 2016.

The change has been made in order to improve the accuracy of goal decisions and judgements within the penalty area.

The AARs, who stand behind the goal line and may not enter the field of play, will be used for the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J.League Championship as well as the semi-finals and finals of the J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup and Emperor’s Cup.

Select MEIJI YASUDA J3 League matches will also use AARs on a trial basis beginning in June.