Blatter appeals for World Cup without VAR

Banned former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says that the 2018 FIFA World Cup should not be used as an occasion to experiment with video replay technology.

FIFA Sepp Blatter 2018 FIFA World Cup VAR

Sepp Blatter Source: Reuters

Blatter's comment on Twitter followed a series of confusing incidents involving the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system which is being trialled in Italy's Serie A, the English FA Cup, Germany's Bundesliga, the Portuguese league and other competitions - including the A-League - around the world.

The sport's law-making body IFAB is due to decide on Saturday whether to approve VAR on a permanent basis and FIFA have already said they intend to use the system at the World Cup in Russia in June and July.
The latest confusion involving VAR was at the midweek English FA Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur and Rochdale, where the London side had an early goal disallowed and a penalty later awarded by the VAR.

Afterwards, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said VAR risked killing emotion in the sport, echoing a sentiment which has already been expressed by some Serie A coaches.

It was not clear if Blatter was appealing for IFAB to reject VAR outright or give it more time.
Blatter quit after 17 years as FIFA president in June 2015 after the global football body was engulfed in a corruption scandal. The 81-year-old was later banned from the sport for six years for ethics violations.

Blatter, who has always denied wrongdoing, told Reuters last month he was considering legal action to clear his name. Last week, he tweeted his support for Morocco's bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.


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2 min read
Published 2 March 2018 7:09am
Source: Reuters


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