One of the main objectives of FIFA is to protect the universality of the game of association football. This means that the game must be played in the same way no matter where you are in the world. If you are coaching a group of teenagers in any small town around the world, they will be playing with the same rules as the professional players they see on TV. The simplicity and universality of the game of association football is one of the reasons for its success. Men, women, children, amateurs and professionals all play the same game all over the world, Blatter said in a statement.
During the annual general meeting Blatter chaired last week, IFAB turned down requests to introduce technology in football.
Blatter welcomed the move saying no matter which technology is applied, at the end of the day a decision will have to be taken by a human being.
FIFAs goal is to improve the quality of refereeing, making referees more professional and better prepared, and to assist referees as much as possible. This is also the reason why refereeing experiments (such as with additional referees or the role of the fourth official) will continue to be analysed, to see how referees can be supported.
He also pointed out the cost of technology as a hindering factor. The calls for introduction of technology ahead of the 2010 World Cup follow dubious decisions by referees, some of which cost some teams their place in the June tournament.
Post published in: Tech