IHF tests three-referee system

The International Handball Federation (IHF) is testing a three-referee system at the U16 Women's World Championship in Agadir, Morocco. This follows earlier trials, such as the Men's U17 World Championship in Morocco in 2025, where all matches used three referees.

Reason for the system

The IHF says a referee can make over 200 decisions in a single match. With handball becoming faster and more physical, the federation believes two referees may not always cover the court effectively. A third referee is expected to improve visibility and accuracy in decision-making.

History of the experiment

The three-referee system was first tested in 2022 during the Men's Super Globe. Since then, it has been used in other competitions, including the 2025 Emerging Nations World Championship, where French referees Loriane Lamour and Mathilde Cournil took part.

Future Olympic goal

In an article from April 2025, the IHF expressed a goal of using the three-referee system at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in Australia. This goal is becoming more realistic as the system is now being tested in various competitions.

Uncertain future

It is unclear if the three-referee system will replace the traditional four-referee setup in major international competitions. The experiment continues as the IHF evaluates its effectiveness.