FIBA rule change

[NICK]

21 April 2006 - IMPORTANT NEW FIBA RULE CHANGES
VIDEO REPLAY FOR LAST SECOND SHOTS
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has decided to accept the use of television images for verification of last-second shots. This was decided at a two-day meeting of the FIBA Central Board in Hong Kong. The precise text in the new FIBA rules, which will be valid as of October 2006, reads: "The referee may use technical equipment to determine on a last shot made at the end of each period or extra period, whether the ball has or has not left the player's hand (s) within the playing time." It is the first time that FIBA allows the use of television images to give the referees the option to verify their decision whether last second shots have been made within regular playing time.