FIFA President Sepp Blatter Announces Trials For Television 'Replay' System

Speaking at Manchester’s Soccerex, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced plans to introduce a TV trial which would allow coaches to challenge referee decisions. The ‘replay’ system would be similar to the ones used in the NFL, tennis and Major League Baseball.

“They [coaches] have the right in the half, twice or once, to challenge a refereeing decision but only when the game is stopped,” Blatter said.

“Then, there must be a television monitor but by the television company and not by another referee.”

“And then the referee and the coach, they will go then to look, and then the referee may change his mind, as it is the case in tennis, for instance.”

The FIFA president went on to say that the trials could begin as early as next year.

“It can only be done where there is television coverage of all the matches. Or in one FIFA competition, we can try in a youth competition, an Under-20, like next year when we are in New Zealand.”

Blatter also announced that he intends to run for a fifth term in charge of world football’s governing body.

His re-election appears to be a formality as five of FIFA’s six continental bodies have already announced their support for the 78-year-old leader, with only Europe opposing him; and UEFA chief executive Michel Platini has ruled out running against Blatter.

“I will inform the executive committee. It’s a question of respect also to say to the football family, ‘Yes I will be ready. I will be a candidate,” Blatter stated.

“You see a mission is never finished. And my mission is not finished.”

“I got through the last congress in Sao Paulo not only the impression but the support of the majority, a huge majority of national associations asking: ‘Please go on, be our president also in the future.”