Video ref doubt at World Cup

FOOTBALL’S lawmakers could reconsider implementing video technology at the 2018 World Cup after a string of errors.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants video assistant referees to be used in Russia next year in order to rectify game-changing mistakes. But critics say there is not nearly enough proof that the process works properly and argue Infantino (right) is rushing into technology prematurely.

VARs were first used in a FIFA competition at last December’s Club World Cup in Japan when the system — which can only be used for goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity — attracted criticism for causing confusion.

Several countries are trialling video technology, including France, Germany, Holland and the USA, while the system is set to be used in this season’s FA Cup.

But following a raft of controversial decisions, including at the Confederations Cup last June and during the early part of this season, there is mounting evidence video technology can prove counterproductive.

Football’s rulemaking body, The International FA Board will discuss the issue at its interim meeting in December and again at its full annual session next March. Unless there is a noticeable improvement in the system’s efficiency, there is every chance lawmakers will put the brakes on implementation and call for further experimentation.

‘My major concern is we are rushing into this,’ said Welsh FA chief executive Jonathan Ford. ‘To have it at the World Cup finals is really quite a dangerous thing to do. It’s a high-risk strategy if it all goes wrong and has to be booted out afterwards.’