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In addition to MLS, the Hyundai A-League in Australia, Germany's Bundesliga, Brazil's Campeonato Brasileiro, the Super Cup Superta�a C�ndido Oliveira and the Portuguese Cup Ta�a de Portugal of the Portuguese Football Federation as well as different competitions under the umbrella of the Dutch football association KNVB are scheduled to participate in the Video Assistant Referee project. The participating leagues and competitions can now begin preparations for testing. MLS, PRO and USL are making preparations for trials in USL matches hosted at MLS and USL venues this summer. These tests will help MLS develop a plan for implementation of video review in MLS matches. "Major League Soccer has been a strong proponent of using technology in soccer where it enhances the game, and we are pleased to be among the first leagues in the world to participate in the Video Assistant Referee project," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "We believe the time has come for a mechanism that helps referees avoid clearly incorrect decisions that change the game. We look forward to working with The IFAB and FIFA to test video assistance for our referees."

Earlier this year, The IFAB approved a detailed set of protocols for the Video Assistant Referee experiments. The Video Assistant Referee will focus on four "game-changing" situations -- goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents and mistaken identity. 

- Goals: The role of VARs is to help the referee to determine whether there was an infraction in the immediate buildup to a goal, including fouls and offside. 

- Penalty Decisions: The role of the VARs is to ensure that no clearly wrong decisions are made in conjunction with the award or non-award of a penalty kick. 

- Direct Red Card Incidents: The role of the VARs is to ensure that no clearly wrong decisions are made in conjunction with the sending-off of a player. 

- Mistaken Identity: In situations when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player, or is unsure which player should be sanctioned, the VARs will inform the referee so that the correct player can be disciplined. 

Additional workshops will take place in the coming months that will go into further detail about the experiments and procedures. The trials are expected to last two years with a subsequent decision by The IFAB potentially in 2018. 

Assistant referee Joe Fletcher has been appointed to the 2016 Copa America Centenario. The tournament will take place in the USA, from 3 to 26 June 2016.

Referee Carol Anne Chenard along with assistant referees Marie-Josee Charbonneau and Suzanne Morisset have been appointed to the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), from 3 to 19 August 2016. 

Chenard has been on the FIFA List of Referees since 2006 and most recently officiated at the FIFA Women�s World Cup 2015. Charbonneau has served on the FIFA List of Assistant Referees since 2012. Morisset has served on the FIFA List of Assistant Referees from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2012 to present. For Chenard and Charbonneau, this will be their second time at the Olympics games having officiated at the London 2012 Olympics games. More recently, the trio officiated together at the FIFA U-20 Women�s World Cup 2014, including the final game, and also at the FIFA Women�s World Cup 2015.

Referee Mathieu Bourdeau says he will continue to work hard under the guidance of PRO to improve and earn his place as a MLS regular. The Canadian is on the roster as a fourth official but took the whistle in MLS for the first time ever in 2015, being assigned to Toronto FC versus Colorado Rapids in what was a productive year. He's already notched another center official appearance in MLS this season, taking charge of D.C. United's game against Toronto FC at RFK Stadium in Week 7 and is eager for more opportunities.

�I was grateful and excited to get my second assignment in my career as center referee in MLS,� the 36-year-old told proreferees.com. �I prepared myself going through the same routine I always use and, overall, the game went well. I had the privilege of being able to rely on a good crew, made up of the experienced Craig Lowry, my long-time friend Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, and Jose Carlos Rivero as fourth official. They all gave me good support in a game that I enjoyed very much. In order to show that I belong at that level I need to improve every game. Receiving feedback from PRO assessors and staff after these games and discussing incidents with my mentors is crucial for me to move forward and thrive towards consistent top level performances�.

While he may have only made his MLS debut last year, Bourdeau has clocked up numerous games in other leagues since his first professional game in USL in 2007. He has also been on the FIFA panel since the start of 2015, and has received nearly 50 fourth official assignments in MLS - all of which are helping his development. �In 2015, I received many great opportunities as center referee - two FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, French Super Cup, Olympic Qualifier tournament, the Brazil versus Costa Rica friendly, Pan Am Games, CONCACAF U-17 tournament, and my first MLS game. The feedback I obtained from top assessors in all of these events helped me improve as a referee. Being in MLS as a fourth official has given me the chance to learn more about players and staff members from different clubs, which is an advantage when you take charge in the middle. Also, being active in the middle in NASL for the past couple of years, and at the international level since last year, has helped me prepare for the challenge of refereeing in the middle in MLS. I will keep on working hard in order to progress and, hopefully, I�ll get more chances to referee top level games in a near future�.