VAR on track for World Cup after IFAB tick
Football's rule-making body has given unanimous backing for VAR, meaning it is likely to be used at the World Cup in Russia.
Video assistant referee (VAR) technology is likely to be used at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after it won official approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
Football's rule-making body gave unanimous backing to the technology at its annual general meeting in Zurich this weekend.
The decision means there will almost certainly be VAR at this year's showpiece tournament in Russia.
"The International Football Association Board unanimously approved the use of video assistant referees at its 132nd Annual General Meeting that took place at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich," an IFAB statement read.
"This landmark meeting, chaired by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, represents a new era for football with video assistance for referees helping to increase integrity and fairness in the game.
"Prior to taking its decision, the members of the IFAB (the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as FIFA, representing all other national football associations) were presented with the results of the independent analysis of the use of VARs conducted by Belgian university KU Leuven since the beginning of the VAR experiment in March 2016."
FIFA president Infantino remains adamant VAR will prove successful at the FIFA World Cup.
A final decision on its inclusion at the tournament is likely to be made at the next FIFA congress meeting on 17 March (AEDT) in Bogota.
Widespread trials in England, Germany and Italy have, however, been met with mixed reviews, but Infantino claimed a study of approximately 1000 live matches resulted in an improvement in the accuracy of refereeing decisions from 93 per cent to 99 per cent.
"It is almost perfect, [although] it is not perfect. Perfection I think in our world does not exist," Infantino said at a media gathering.
"But we have to have the ambition to be as close to perfection as possible and VAR gets us certainly closer to perfection.
"It can only improve the game, it can only improve the fairness of the game.
"From my side, as FIFA president, I am very happy we give this opportunity and this option.
"I am sure all those who are studying it carefully - really digging into it, looking it as we have done - they will be convinced about the benefits. And everyone will see it as we implement it and as we go on."
