FIFA leaves countries using video review off WC refs list
AP, Geneva :
Four of the eight countries whose national leagues use FIFA-approved video review do not have a match official among 99 selected for the World Cup on Thursday.
FIFA published a list of 36 referees and 63 assistants who will work the 64 games in Russia, confirming the same referees who were provisionally selected in November.
FIFA has insisted World Cup officials will be fully trained to use the video assistant referee protocol, despite criticism of often slow and confusing decision-making since trials began in 2016.
Video review was this month voted into soccer’s laws and approved by FIFA for the World Cup.
The World Cup officials represent 46 countries, though not Australia, Belgium, Portugal or South Korea, whose leagues have adopted VAR live trials.
Selection was based on “each referee’s skills and personality, as well as his level of understanding of football and ability to read both the game and the various tactics employed by teams,” FIFA said in a statement.
Four of the eight countries whose national leagues use FIFA-approved video review do not have a match official among 99 selected for the World Cup on Thursday.
FIFA published a list of 36 referees and 63 assistants who will work the 64 games in Russia, confirming the same referees who were provisionally selected in November.
FIFA has insisted World Cup officials will be fully trained to use the video assistant referee protocol, despite criticism of often slow and confusing decision-making since trials began in 2016.
Video review was this month voted into soccer’s laws and approved by FIFA for the World Cup.
The World Cup officials represent 46 countries, though not Australia, Belgium, Portugal or South Korea, whose leagues have adopted VAR live trials.
Selection was based on “each referee’s skills and personality, as well as his level of understanding of football and ability to read both the game and the various tactics employed by teams,” FIFA said in a statement.
