The extra officials were initially tested in European Under-19 qualifying competitions in 2008 before being trialled in the 2009/10 Europa League group stages.

Subsequently, trials were then expanded to include the 2011/12 Champions League competition and Euro 2012.

The officials do not have the authority to make independent decisions, and are intended to act as an aid to the match referee in goal-line and penalty area incidents.

A statement on the UEFA website said: "This (decision) follows the International Football Association Board (IFAB)'s unanimous decision on 5 July 2012 to amend the Laws of the Game and allow the use of such extra officials, acknowledging the support they can provide in officiating matches, following the successful trials that were conducted in various competitions over the last few years."

The decision comes despite the extra official failing to intervene when a legitimate goal was not awarded to Ukraine in their Euro 2012 group match against England last month.

That incident prompted FIFA and the IFAB to approve the introduction of goal-line technology, with the global governing body and UEFA seemingly at odds about which strategy to pursue.