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[caption id="attachment_8050" align="aligncenter" width="580"] FIFA insists Video Assistant Referees results are extremely positive, says Infantino[/caption] Internet Desk: FIFA chief Gianni Infantino hopes to see video referees used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia -- if its teething problems have been fixed in time. He said, “Governing bodies – FIFA in particular – have been criticised over the years for refusing to use video assistance refereeing. We have finally decided to move from words to action, to try and see how it works. I was sceptical myself at first but if you don’t try it concretely, how do you know if it’s going to work or not?” This decision was taken in March at the IFAB meeting. Since then a lot of decisions have been made about how this technology should be used, some offline tests have taken place, some tests in friendly games, but nothing replaces the real test in an official competition. This is the reason why we have decided to make the tests now at the Club World Cup in Japan. We have made history by using VAR for the first time. We have worked a lot to be able to get there. Of course, it is a challenge to put the theory in practice. There may be some criticism but that’s why we’re making the tests, to see what can be improved. We believe VAR can deliver minimum interference for maximum benefit, which is essential for the flow of the game. We are extremely positive. The IFAB will take a final decision about [the future of VAR]. It’s premature to talk about it’s full implementation. As of today, there are competitions in 12 countries that have agreed to be part of this test and we welcome this very much. We already have a good view by the end of next year about what it means if it has to be implemented in different countries. If IFAB decides to approve the VAR system to go forward in March 2018, FIFA will certainly use it in its tournaments. It is then however up to each association to decide if they use the VAR system and in competitions. It’s their decision. One of the key elements, we don’t want the flow of the game to be interrupted. The flow of the game is one of football’s biggest assets. We cannot allow the flow of the game to be interrupted.