Video referral plans and barbs at FA: Blatter in no mood to quit presidency
FOOTBALL’S world governing body president Sepp Blatter revealed plans to trial a video referral system and took a swipe at the Football Association (FA) yesterday as he confirmed his intention to seek re-election.
Blatter, who has been Fifa chief since 1998, stated that he would stand for a fifth term next year and bid to extend his presidency until 2019, by which time he will be 83, because “my mission is not finished”. His move follows confirmation last month from Michel Platini, president of European governing body Uefa and the man tipped to succeed Blatter, that he would not oppose the Swiss in 2015.
European federations, notably the FA and its chairman Greg Dyke, have been among Blatter’s biggest critics, though he dismissed their complaints about the transparency of his regime as sour grapes for failing with a bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
“Don’t forget that in football, you learn to win but also to lose. So, therefore, I appeal to all those to go back to the essence of football, and then you learn to lose,” he said.
Blatter also revealed plans for a video replay referral system, similar to that introduced successfully to tennis, that would allow managers one or two challenges per half. The technology could be trialled at next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
“They have the right in the half, twice or once, to challenge a refereeing decision but only when the game is stopped,” he added of the proposals. “It can only be done where there is television coverage of all the matches.”