The group stage of the Europa League kicks off on Thursday, with the trialling of five on-pitch match officials providing the biggest talking point prior to the start of the tournament.
In the biggest change to the game since the introduction of the back-pass rule in 1992, two extra officials will patrol the area behind each goal on the lookout for penalty area transgressions such as diving and shirt-pulling.
UEFA president Michel Platini has pioneered the idea and says it will be escalated to next season's Champions League and the 2012 European Championship if it proves effective.
"One day players will give up simulating because referees will see them," said the former France international legend. Click to read more...
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