FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has told reporters that he is hopeful that they will implement video replay technology at the 2018 World Cup in Russia to aid under fire referees.
Many people remember England leaving the World Cup in South Africa in disgrace after a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of those pesky Germans – not me. I believe we would have won that World Cup had it not been for Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal in the 37th minute. It would have drawn England level – 2-2 just before halftime – and would have handed the momentum to the 11 lions.
And I can’t even blame the officials.
I have to blame technology.
And all that could change after some positive vibes falling out of the mouth of the new FIFA Prez, Gianni Infantino.
Speaking to a gaggle of reporters after an executive summit meeting, Infantino said he was hopeful they would use video technology during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and that the early prognosis of trials had been positive.
The FIFA Prez said the technology would be utilised for ‘game changing decisions’ and pointed out the impossible task of a referee getting every decision right with the game moving at such a fast pace.
Where has this man been all of my life?
“We’ve been talking about this for 50 years, and now we’re testing it,” said Infantino.
FIFA made the decision to start testing the use of video technology a long time ago. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is in charge. In October, 35 representatives from the likes of Brazil, France, and the USA met in Zurich to continue workshops on the implementation of video equipment.
Infantino said the IFAB would continue testing leading up to the 2018 World Cup including using technology at the Club World Cup in Japan or the Confederations Cup in Russia.
“I really hope that in 2018 we will be able to help the referees at the World Cup.” Said Infantino.
The new system – called VAR – will give officials access to replays of key incidents such as Lampard’s disallowed goal, sendings off and penalty decisions.
The working group are still not sure whether the way forward will be for the referee to nip to the side of the pitch to watch a replay of an incident, or allowing a third party to make an independent decision which is then relayed to the referee through an earpiece.
That Frank Lampard disallowed goal didn’t just break my heart, it broke my bank account. I had a lot of money riding on that event, and although I am sure there are times in my gambling heydey that I benefited from a refereeing mistake, I seem only to remember the ones that didn’t go my way.
