Fifa chief admitted he was an early 'sceptic' about the introduction of the technology but hailed its impact at the World Cup in Russia
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino claims football has been changed for ever by the introduction of VAR as he refuses to give up on plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams.
And the head of the world game insisted: “Offside goals are now finished.”
Infantino, who declared himself an early “sceptic” about the introduction of the technology, has emerged as its biggest convert.
Fifa referees’ chief believe that, thanks to VAR, 99.32 per cent of key decisions made in Russia have been correct.
And Infantino said: “Nobody is asking about VAR any more - and that is because it is accepted. It’s working and has worked well.
“The results, and we’re talking about facts, not words, perceptions, are extremely clear and positive.
“In the games there have been more than 440 checks and 19 reviews over 62 matches. That’s one every three and a half matches.
“There were 16 decisions changed - from wrong decision to a right decision. Progress means to make things better, to improve. This IS progress. This is better.
“VAR is cleaning football, making it more transparent and honest. In the games, without VAR, 95 per cent of decisions were already correct. But thanks to VAR it was up to 99.32 per cent.”
He added: “We can say offside goals are finished in football, with VAR.
“You will never see an offside goal scored that counts because with VAR you either are or are not offside.
“How many times written have you written and argued about whether a goal was offside or not? Now you have to have other arguments because offside is finished. Decisions are more clear and transparent.
“And look at how many red cards we have seen at previous World Cups for violent conduct.
“In this WC, so far, zero. Why? Not just because of VAR but certainly because players know that if they do something one of the 36 or so cameras will spot it and they will be sent off.
“We are very happy that have introduced VAR. It was a brave decision but now, today, it’s difficult to think about the World Cup WITHOUT VAR.
“It has been, certainly, a more just competition. This is what we wanted to achieve and have achieved so far.”
The Swiss also revealed he is pushing ahead to expand the competition to 48 teams for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
While Fifa have set in stone the 28-day window between November 21 and December 18, Infantino is still determined to force through the expansion.
“We will decide whether it’s 48 or 32 teams in the next few months. We must have have discussions with the Qataris and then if there is a possibility with the Fifa Council and stakeholders. Then we will decide calmly and quietly what the decision is.
“For now it’s a World Cup with 32 teams but everybody is open-minded and we will have a frank and open debate.”
That would include playing games in other Gulf states outside Qatar - despite the current trade and border blockade between the tiny country and it’s Saudi-backed neighbours.
Infantino added: “I will be happy if it stays at 32 teams as previously established. Qatar could insist on 32.
“But if everybody comes on board and thinks it might be positive to change to 48 we can have a look. All options will be on the table.
“Maybe, through Fifa and football, we could bring countries together and allow them to start having dialogue. Football can open up the doors to communication between nations.”As for the suggestion that a 48-team tournament would dilute the quality of the World Cup, Infantino maintained: “The decision has already been taken, for 2026.
“We analysed the question very thoroughly and decided unanimously to extend to 48.
“The World Cup started with 13 team, then went up to 16, 24 and now 32. The number of members of Fifa and quality increased.
“In this World Cup we had teams who are normally regulars, like Italy, Holland, Chile, Cameroon, USA, who did not qualify. So the quality is certainly there.
“When we go to 48 teams that is less than 25 per cent of Fifa members. It’s still a reasonable number.”
