On Friday February 26th, FIFA elected Gianni Infantino as its new president. He succeeds his fellow Swiss Sepp Blatter, who occupied the position for almost two decades, and saw his final year engulfed in a corruption scandal.
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Following his election, Infantino outlined his goals to rebuild the organization and restore its standing in the world of sports. The FIFA president is also looking to modernize the game by bringing in new technologies that have been ignored so far.
VIDEO: Watch a wide-ranging interview with the new FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. https://t.co/HhlPiDTtew pic.twitter.com/0vYzbFngHI
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) March 1, 2016
Speaking ahead of IFAB’s meeting in Cardiff this weekend, Infantino encouraged the board to allow trials of video technology to assist officials “sooner rather than later“. In an interview published on FIFA’s website, he signaled his support of new video replay technology provided that it does not interfere with the unique flow of the game.
“One of the peculiarities of football is the flow of the game; it doesn’t stop like many other sports, where you have time to look at videos,” Infantino explained. “We need to see what kind of impact any technological help will have on the flow of the game.”
Video replay technology has long been a controversial topic in world football. As recently as September of 2015, IFAB rejected the Brazilian Football Confederation’s request to introduce video refereeing in their domestic league. The Zurich Based federation did not rule out permitting the trials to go ahead, so this weekend’s outcome might prove to be different.
There is no shortage of interest in video technology. The Bundesliga, Germany’s top league, has already expressed an interest in using video technology to enable referees to reverse obviously incorrect calls. The MLS is also aiming to become one of the first professional soccer leagues to implement a video replay system. The Brazilian Federation has already seen its proposal rejected, but if trials were to be implemented, the CBF would probably revive its bid to try the technology in their league.
There is no question that FIFA has a long way to go to restore its image and reputation as the leading organization for the world’s most popular sport. Gianni Infantino faces an enormous task, but his willingness to embrace new technologies, and his eagerness to involve players and fans in the decision making process, are a great first step. It is definitely a refreshing change from the previous regime.
“Football is a special game,” said Infantino in his interview. “I am a football fan as well,” he explained. “We have to involve the fans, listen to them and what they say. Football without fans is nothing. We need the players, we needs the fans. These two elements have been neglected for too long.”
So has technology. That looks like it’s about to change.