Fifa head referee leery of video tech

Kochi: Even though Fifa president Gianni Infantino has given the green signal to video referrals in football, possibly starting with the 2018 World Cup, Fifa head of referees Massimo Busacca remains skeptical about the technology.

The Swiss national, who had voiced his protest against video referrals as early as in 2011, when he took charge as the head of refereeing in Fifa, explaining that it affects the flow of the game, still maintains that it is not a solution.

“I’m not fully convinced still today,” said the 47-year-old who has officiated two World Cups. “Technology will not solve everything, but it will surely help, like goal-line does,” said the 2009 Best Referee in the World. “If we have to review every situation in the game, we don’t play anymore. It (video referrals) is not a solution for the mistakes,” he said.