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Qatar introduces video refereeing in fencing grand prix

DOHA, January 24, 2009: The Qatar Fencing Federation, QFF introduced the video refereeing for the first time at the 2009 Qatar Fencing Epee Grand Prix for men and women taking place at the Aspire.

The Refereeing Commission of the International Fencing Federation, FIE met from 7 to 9 July 2006 in Hammamet, Tunisia, where they decided to use video refereeing at the World Championships as well as at Olympic Games and Grand Prix competitions.

Fencing officials allowed video challenges for the first time at the Olympic Games in Beijing, to avoid the kind of controversy that plagued the men's team foil final four years ago.

In Athens, China lost that final 45-42 to Italy after a Hungarian referee wrongly awarded six touches to the Italians, possibly costing the Chinese the gold.

At the Olympics, women's sabre individual event, each fencer had two challenges per individual bout. Team events had one challenge per relay.

If a fencer challenges a call, the main referee watches the tape in slow motion with the referee delegate before giving a final decision. The referee delegate also can initiate a challenge at any time.

In foil, epee or sabre, if the fencers are tied at the end of the match, the referee must use video replay to award the decisive hit if both lamps go on, signifying nearly simultaneous touches.