Zinedine Zidane understands FIFA’s efforts to improve football, but how they use technology needs to be made clear.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric isn’t a fan of the new technology being trialed in the Club World Cup in Japan.
GIanni Infantino defended the Video Assistant Referee technology ahead of the Club World Cup Final.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has backed the use of video technology in football after a week in which the game was shown to be divided on the subject.

History was made in Wednesday’s Club World Cup semifinal between Atletico Nacional and Kashima Antlers when a touchline video assistant referee (VAR) employed replay technology in a competitive FIFA match to award a penalty.

It was also used during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win against Club America in the other semifinal to decide if Cristiano Ronaldo’s stoppage-time goal was onside.

Similar technology has long been used in other sports, but its introduction to football has split opinions.

“I am in favour of it,” Luis Enrique told a news conference ahead of side’s game against Espanyol this weekend. “I am in favour of everything that helps the referees.

“Football is developing in that direction. We need to work on which particular incidents can be analysed during the game, but I’m in favour of anything which helps referees and if that can solve things, hopefully we won’t be so critical of referees.”

Luis Enrique said additional video technology should help referees.

FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, Massimo Busacca, has also defended the use of VARs, but Madrid midfielder Luka Modric said he is not a fan. 

“To be honest, I don’t like it,” Croatia international Modric said. “It creates a lot of confusion. We had a meeting with referees the other day. I did not listen too much as I don’t expect it continue. For me it is not what football is about. We will see what happens. The first sensation for me is not good.”

Busacca says FIFA is satisfied with what they have witnessed so far and also explained how world football’s governing body expects things to continue. 

“The main point of technology is that no one loses because of a refereeing mistake,” he said. “It will be used in the event of doubts that can affect the result of a game.

“Only the referees can ask for it as they know when they make a mistake or when they have a doubt. If the players were to ask for it, it would cause a lot of interruptions.

“There is no time limit. The important thing is for the correct decision to be given.”

Samuel Marsden covers Barcelona for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @SamuelMarsden.


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