New six-official system debuted last night

Last night’s round of Europa League games saw two unfamiliar blokes cutting rather lonely figures beside each goal. Making its trial debut as part of Michel Platini’s grand plan to cut out diving, ghost goals and general tomfoolery, was the ‘Additional Assistant Referees’ (AARs) system - basically plonking two flagless linos goalside.

Their biggest challenge, last night’s tie between Everton and AEK Athens, was a mixed bag. A contentious penalty shout was turned down, probably correctly, but Louis Saha was then sent off in the dying minutes for raising his hands, after having his legs used as kicking posts by AEK defender Juanfran.

Despite coasting to victory 4-0, David Moyes found time to moan about the new system:

‘It’s amazing - they see the small arm from Louis but not the big kick that was aimed at him beforehand, despite all those officials in and around the box now.