FIFA has finally and fully approved video review to help referees at the World Cup. The last step toward giving match officials high-tech help in Russia was agreed to on Friday by FIFA's ruling council chaired by President Gianni Infantino. "We are extremely happy with that decision," Infantino said at a news conference, adding it would lead to "a more transparent and fairer sport. We need to live with our times."
FIFA will now look to sign a World Cup sponsor for video assistant referees (VAR) at the June 14-July 15 tournament. Also, FIFA reported a $192 million net loss in its published accounts for 2017, and agreed to publish the voting choices of member federations in the 2026 World Cup bidding contest on June 13 in Moscow.
A North American bid combining the United States, Canada, and Mexico is competing with Morocco for the right to host the first 48-team tournament in eight years' time. Up to 207 FIFA members will vote with the four bidding nations excluded.
Infantino also answered with a firm and simple "No" when asked if Russia's current political tensions with Britain could affect its hosting of the World Cup.
The landmark decision on using technology came two weeks after FIFA's rule-making panel, known as IFAB, voted to write VAR into the laws of football.
That move still left competition organizers to opt to use video review in their games, and FIFA's ruling committee had to sign off on the World Cup decision.
FIFA Council member Reinhard Grindel wrote on his Twitter account that clear communication will be important to make the system a success — and was promised on Friday by Infantino.