Russia World Cup could use video replays, FIFA boss says
Tuesday 19 April 2016 19:38, UK
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is hopeful video replays will be tested and approved in time for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Football's law-makers last month agreed to test the use of replays to eliminate errors in four specific cases: goals scored, red cards, penalties and mistaken identity.
The International Football Association Board initially decreed the trials should start no later than the 2017/8 season, but that timescale has since been adjusted.
And Infantino, visiting Moscow to check on preparations for the next finals, said: "This test video will start now and will take two years. This means that by March 2018 we will see if it works or not.
"I really hope that the World Cup in Russia will be the first World Cup where video refereeing is used to make refereeing maybe better."
Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter was persuaded to back the introduction of goal-line technology by Frank Lampard's disallowed goal for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup.
He said in 2012: "That was the moment for me to say, 'You can't afford for something similar to happen in the next World Cup."
The Italian FA, meanwhile, has confirmed it will trial the new video replays in some Serie A, Serie B and Coppa Italia games next season with a view to implementing it fully in 2017/8.
