World football governing body FIFA on Monday confirmed that the Video Assistant Referee technology will be used at the World Cup in Russia.
“Definitely VAR will happen,” The Associated Press quotes FIFA chief commercial officer Philippe Le Floc’h to have said.
“It’s great to have technology in football because this is also a fair(ness) thing.”
The VAR is the latest technology set to be fully incorporated into the game following successful introductions of the goal line technology in the 2014 World Cup.
Video replays are used when there is a “clear and obvious error” involving goals, penalty awards, red cards, and mistaken identity.
Proponents of the technology have said its use helps achieve more fairness in the game.
Its opponents however have taken issue with the amount of time it consumes during a game, also saying it could possibly lead to a loss of morale for players.
Floc’h confirmation came during a stop by the World Cup trophy at the London Stansted Airport, as it continues its world tour.
The VAR made its debut in South America at the 2017 edition of Copa Libertadores. It was used starting in semifinals.
The system was also used at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
