Video Referral and Technology

To assist umpires and reduce major errors that could change a result.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), Purpose · recall

The video umpire is in a private room with high-resolution monitors.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), Purpose · recall

The video umpire uses existing TV camera coverage.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), Purpose · recall

Only the on-field umpires refer, directly or after a team request.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 1.1 · recall

Referrals cannot be made from protests or pressure by players, managers or coaches.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 1.2 · recall

No one other than the on-field umpires can stop the match for a referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 1.3 · recall

The video umpire calls for as many replays from any angle as necessary.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 3.1 · recall

Stop, signal, review, advise.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 3 · recall

The on-field umpire makes the final call.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 1.1 · applied

The 'television-screen' signal asks the video umpire for assistance.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.4 · applied

When they are not convinced they have taken the correct decision.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.1 · recall

Umpire referrals: goals, penalty strokes and serious misconduct.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.1 · recall

Serious misconduct incidents anywhere on the field of play.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.1 · recall

Breaches that may justify a red card or a 10-minute yellow.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.3 · recall

Television-screen signal followed by a hand on chest.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 3 · recall

If possible, the engaged umpire signals the decision they consider correct.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 3 · recall

Whether the ball crossed the goal line between posts and under the bar.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.3a · recall

Stop, decide, refer, check.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 3 · recall

Goals, strokes, misconduct.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.1 · applied

Screen sign plus hand on chest: umpire referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 3 · applied

Each team is allowed one team referral request in regulation time.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Referrals remaining from regular time are not carried over.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Any team player on the field at the time of the incident.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1b · recall

Using the 'T' signal and confirming verbally.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1b · recall

Immediately, not more than 5-7 seconds after.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1b · recall

Once received, the referral must be carried out.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

The television-screen signal followed by a 'T' signal.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1g · recall

Ask, explain, refer, review.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4 · recall

Seconds to ask, then to explain, then to decide.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4-5 · recall

The 'T' signal asks for a team referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1b · applied

Team referrals are restricted to decisions within the 23-metres areas.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Award or non-award of goals, penalty strokes or penalty corners.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Personal penalty cards may not be the subject of a team referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1a · recall

Teams may not ask for a referral outside the 23m areas.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Penalty corners are within the scope of team referrals.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Award or non-award of goals.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

During a shoot-out also whether a shoot-out should be re-taken.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1a · recall

The first two are inside the 23; the last is not allowed.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Goals, strokes, corners.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Halfway is outside both 23-metre areas, so no team referral is possible.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · applied

Use the 'T' signal and confirm verbally.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1b · recall

Umpires will not disallow any request once the 'T' signal has been used and seen.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1c · recall

Within a maximum of 20 seconds.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1e · recall

It defaults to a review of the last relevant decision.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1f · recall

Only the requesting player, with a possible second for language help.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Crowding: offending players are liable to green cards.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Umpires should not discuss the merits of referring.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Decision, signal, words, question.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Crowding brings green cards, repeats yellow.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Other players crowding a referral risk green cards.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · applied

If the video umpire advises a change, the requesting team keeps its right to refer.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

If the decision is correct, the requesting team loses its right to refer.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.1 · recall

'There is no clear reason to change your decision.'

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.1 · recall

They initiate with 'I have advice for you'.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Preferably 60-90 seconds.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.1 · recall

They keep the referral and a bully restarts play.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Close to the ball, but not within 15 m of the back-line or 5 m of the circle.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Ask, find, advise, keep.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Winning is best; losing the referral worst.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5 · recall

An unchanged decision costs the referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.1 · applied

Outcomes include goal, no goal, penalty stroke, penalty corner and others.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

The video umpire cannot give clear advice.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

'Shoot-out to be re-taken' or 'No shoot-out re-take'.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Advice on any appropriate personal penalty in a goal, corner or stroke referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Re-take and whether it is defended with one fewer player.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Re-take and whether a different player must inject.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

The video umpire advises; the on-field umpire decides.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 1.1 · recall

Opener, outcome, restart, referral status.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

As listed in the protocol.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · recall

Both arms to the centre signal a goal.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 5.2 · applied

One team referral request during a shoot-out competition.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Not carried over into the shoot-out.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Goals, penalty strokes and shoot-out re-takes.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Each attempt can decide a final.

Source: FIH, The history of FIH & hockey · recall

Netherlands beat Germany 3-1 in the shoot-out.

Source: Official results (Olympedia, FIH), see FIELD_HOCKEY_VERIFIED_FACTS.md, Olympics · recall

The 2018 final in Bhubaneswar went to Belgium after a 0-0 draw.

Source: Official results (Olympedia, FIH), see FIELD_HOCKEY_VERIFIED_FACTS.md, World Cup · recall

Germany won 5-4 in the shoot-out.

Source: Official results (Olympedia, FIH), see FIELD_HOCKEY_VERIFIED_FACTS.md, World Cup · recall

Attempt, request, check, outcome.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4-5 · recall

2018, 2021 (Tokyo 2020), 2023.

Source: FIH, The history of FIH & hockey · applied

The keeper's team may ask whether the attempt was fair or must be taken again.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · applied

The captain is suspended for five minutes and the team loses its referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Yellow card, 5 minutes suspension.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Teams (and their captains) are responsible.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 1.2 · recall

Surrounding the umpires is misconduct and is carded.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Within 5-7 seconds, without consulting.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Umpires should not engage in discussion about referring.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

No player other than the one asking may approach.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Green, yellow, then loss of referral and a yellow for the captain.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

Spot, remove, card.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · recall

A referral used only to stop a counter-attack is punished.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1 · applied

The umpire relays by radio whatever information is needed.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.4 · recall

If a dedicated timekeeper is available, they may time the match and suspensions.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2027 (player's view), Rule 11.6 · recall

Suspended players remain in a designated place.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2027 (player's view), Rule 14.2 · recall

TV coverage adds replays and statistics.

Source: General field hockey reference · recall

Analysts code events from video.

Source: General field hockey reference · recall

Radios let the two umpires and the video umpire speak at once.

Source: USA Field Hockey, Field Hockey 101 (2025) · recall

Screen sign followed by 'T' denotes a team referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1g · recall

Record, link, review, advise.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), Purpose · recall

The player asks; the umpire refers and marks it as a team referral.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 4.1g · recall

Radio contact with the video umpire.

Source: FIH Video Umpire Protocol (July 2026), 2.4 · applied