Updated

Soccer's rule-makers have approved in-game trials with video assistance for referees.

The International Football Association Board's annual meeting on Saturday decided to initially test in private before moving to a live pilot phase with replay-assistance by the 2017-18 season.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says "we have taken really a historic decision for football. FIFA and IFAB are now leading the debate and not stopping the debate. We have shown we are listening to the fans, the players."

English Football Association CEO Martin Glenn added that 13 leagues or associations have expressed an interest in hosting trials.

It is four years since IFAB approved the introduction of technology to determine whether the ball crossed the line.