Soccer's world governing body FIFA will experiment with five on-field match official next season in the Europa League, the renamed UEFA Cup, FIFA said on Sunday.

FIFA's plan features two extra officials to monitor the penalty boxes to help referees with the tough calls close to goal as an alternative to proposals for the use of video images.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), comprising the four British associations and four FIFA representatives, which sets the rules for the world's most popular sport, has backed the experiment.

The experimental matches will start at the group stage of the competition.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2009)