Infantino impressed by video replays tests

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Bari (Italy) (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday hailed video replays as “a new page in history” a day after the technology had its first test in France’s 3-1 friendly win over Italy in Bari.

“It was a first at this level with national teams. We’re moving forward. It was promising,” said Infantino. “On two occasions in particular we used video replays. It’s positive.”

Infantino hopes “video assistant referees” will be used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“If it works then of course the entire footballing world would be happy to have this system to help referees during the biggest tournament in the world,” he said.

And the price tag would be no obstacle.

“A lot,” Infantino replied concerning the cost.” But it’s worth it. We need to do it and we will do it.”

“If we can help the referee make fewer mistakes while protecting the game, that’s good,” he continued.

Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers was linked by earphone with those operating the technology during the match, settling a doubt as early as four minutes following a Djibril Sidibe foul on Italy’s Daniele De Rossi.

Kuipers said: “I hesitated between yellow and red. The VAR was very useful it gave me information in nine or ten seconds. Yellow was enough … that settled it.”

“The experience was very positive. We need to help the referees without spoiling the game but in 2016 it’s not acceptable that everyone sees something important and not the referee,” said Infantino at a press conference on Friday.

“If we don’t try, we can’t know if it works,” said Infantino who contrary to his former UEFA chief Michel Platini, has never hidden that he was favourable to the technology.

“Football is conservative, sometimes even mediaeval,” said former Croatian footballer Zvonimir Boban, now deputy secretary general of FIFA.

“It will never be perfect but it will clarify many things. It is better to help the referee than crucify him.”

But Massimo Busacca, head of refereeing for FIFA, warned: “the referee must keep his instinct. He mustn’t say ‘if I have a doubt someone will decide for me’. That’s the risk.”

The post Infantino impressed by video replays tests appeared first on World Soccer Talk.

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Broncos closing in on quarterback verdict; Gary Kubiak impressed by Trevor Siemian

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The Denver Broncos are nearing their quarterback decision, and coach Gary Kubiak sounds quite impressed with Trevor Siemian.

Kubiak said that he could probably make a decision now if he had to, but he refused to give a timetable for when he’d formally name a starter.

“I’ve got a lot invested and a lot of work that I can make some decisions off of now,” Kubiak said after Saturday’s preseason game, via ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. “I’ll do that. Does that mean I’m going to do it [Sunday] or Monday? I don’t know. I’ve got enough going on that I can make a decision.”

With Mark Sanchez not playing at all and Trevor Siemian starting and doing nothing to make himself look bad, it seems likely that he would be the frontrunner as things stand.

“I’m impressed. I think he’s very calm,” Kubiak said of Siemian. “I can tell by the way he handles the team in the huddle, he’s got control of what’s going on. Gets a bad break on the ‘go’ ball and comes right back and goes down the field. I think what I see is a guy getting better. … I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m going to make a decision this week. … I’m going to do that, but at the same time, I’ve got a lot of things going on. I’ll take my time and do it the right way.”

Siemian started the game, but it’s worth noting that Kubiak was talking up Paxton Lynch last week, too. Whatever the case, it sounds like Sanchez is definitely running behind in the race.

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