Sepp Blatter appeals to have World Cup matches without VAR

By Rodney Dsouza

Mar 02, 2018

06:10 am

What's the story

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has asked the authorities to turn down the request to use VAR (Video Assistant Referee system) for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia. The 81-year-old took to Twitter to express his strong views against the use of VAR. Blatter is currently serving a ban from football administration due to accusations of financial irregularities.

Use of technology

How does VAR work?

VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee system. A team of 3 people including video assistant referee, his assistant and a replay operator review certain decisions made by the referee. They are provided with every camera angle covering the pitch. Four types of decisions are reviewed: goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity while awarding a card. Any of these wrong decisions can be overturned.

Twitter Post

Blatter not in favour of using VAR

A personal appeal to IFAB the Guardians of the Laws of the Game: FIFA WC cannot be used as experiment for such a fundamental change: VAR#VAR #IFAB #FIFA #FA #Wales FA #Scottish FA #NIR FA #UEFA

— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) March 1, 2018

Unhappy with VAR

Blatter hits out against VAR in World Cup

Blatter's comments come after a series of confusing events which took place involving Video Assistant Referee system. The VAR system is currently being experimented in Italy's Serie A, the English FA Cup, Germany's Bundesliga, the Portuguese league and various other competitions around the world. On Saturday, IFBA will decide if VAR will be approved on a permanent basis.