- Title: FIFA's Infantino wants video replays at 2018 World Cup
- Date: 23rd November 2016
- Summary: ROISSY, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 23, 2016) (REUTERS) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, AT MEETING WITH JOURNALISTS VARIOUS OF INFANTINO TALKING SIGN READING (French): "FIFA's executive summits on football" INFANTINO STANDING UP (SOUNDBITE) (French) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING: "And the first results are positive. And I really hope that in 2018 we can help the referee during the World Cup, which is the biggest football event in the world, to not commit serious errors and if we manage to do that - today, it's rather paradoxical that the only (person) who does not see a serious error is the referee. All the spectators at the stadiums with their phones or at home see immediately if there's been a big error, the only one who cannot is the referee, and not because he does not want to but because he is not allowed to." FIFA SIGN (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING: "On the expansion per se, there is of course a vast majority in favour, that's obvious. Then on the formats, whether it's 40 teams, whether it's 48, with a playoff of 32, then goes down to 32 teams, this is still very much open for discussion of different points of view and different opinions. So I'm happy that we launched the debate, and what is important is that everyone sees that the increase in the participation for the World Cup is really a tool to promote football in more countries." JOURNALIST WRITING (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING: "I think and we think that FIFA's competitions need to have a special flavour, need to be special. When we see the development of clubs in Europe and in South America, of course where they have a long history of more than 100 years, but also in other continents, and when we see that many clubs are travelling around the world then we have to think about what can we do as FIFA in order to foster club football, to develop club football, and to see whether we can find a new format. It's not easy, it's not easy to find the right place in the calendar, but we will work on that, we will work on that with the clubs and the associations." JOURNALIST TYPING ON LAPTOP (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING: "This is something that the investigations are dealt with by the disciplinary bodies of FIFA, and they are independent, they take their own decisions. That's how it has to be, so I have no information and no idea on when the decision can be expected, I hope soon." SIGN FOR FIFA SUMMIT VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF HOTEL WHERE FIFA SUMMIT WAS TAKING PLACE
- Embargoed: 8th December 2016 14:33
- Keywords: FIFA Gianni Infantino World Cup referee club
- Location: ROISSY, FRANCE
- City: ROISSY, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00159NZ4FZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is hoping video replays will be used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia to help referees avoid serious mistakes during the tournament.
Speaking to reporters after the first executive summit of the world governing body on Wednesday, (November 23) he said video replays could help with decisions on penalties, goals and red cards.
In March, the International Football Association Board approved a two-year trial of a system in which a so-called Video Assistant Referee (VAR), with access to replays, helps the match officials review key decisions.
Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United States have all been conducting tests, and Infantino said the results had been positive.
"And I really hope that in 2018 we can help the referee during the World Cup, which is the biggest football event in the world, to not commit serious errors and if we manage to do that - today, it's rather paradoxical that the only (person) who does not see a serious error is the referee. All the spectators at the stadiums with their phones or at home see immediately if there's been a big error, the only one who cannot is the referee, and not because he does not want to but because he is not allowed to," he told reporters.
Former UEFA general secretary Infantino was elected in February to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter.
Since taking on the post, Infantino has proposed expanding the World Cup from 32 teams to 48. He said the idea of expansion had been well received, but that the format it would take was still open for discussion.
He has also proposed expanding the Club World Cup, which currently brings together the champions from each of the continental federations.
"I think and we think that FIFA's competitions need to have a special flavour, need to be special. When we see the development of clubs in Europe and in South America, of course where they have a long history of more than 100 years, but also in other continents, and when we see that many clubs are travelling around the world then we have to think about what can we do as FIFA in order to foster club football, to develop club football, and to see whether we can find a new format. It's not easy, it's not easy to find the right place in the calendar, but we will work on that, we will work with the clubs and the associations," he said.
Infantino also told reporters he hoped a decision would be taken "soon" after FIFA announced it was investigating Northern Ireland and Wales for displaying signs which included poppies, during World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.
Both countries chose to defy FIFA by wearing poppies in their group games, to commemorate the armistice that ended World War One.
FIFA rules forbid players from wearing anything that can be perceived as a political statement. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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