Sport

Blatter asks for time on revamping Fifa and goal-line technology

Subject to accuracy and affordability, rules and technology might be used at the 2014 World Cup.

Agence France Presse

July 28, 2011

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RIO DE JANEIRO // Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, has asked for more time to tackle corruption and introducing goal-line technology, possibly at the 2014 World Cup.

There has been a huge push for football to follow sports such as cricket and tennis in embracing technological help for officials with the argument brought into sharp focus by England having a 'goal' ruled out against Germany at the last World Cup despite replays having shown that the ball had crossed the line.

"In March next year, we will have a final decision on goal-line technology. If it's proved to be accurate and affordable, it's possible that the international board will adopt this technology during the 2014 World Cup," Blatter told a news conference.

"If this is the case then other football associations will have the right to use the goal-line technology."

Fifa will also decide in 2012 whether or not to have two extra officials behind the goalline as a "general rule".

Blatter was defiant though as he addressed the media for the first time after the banned Asian football boss and his former ally Mohamed bin Hammam called him a "dictator" and dared Fifa and the Ethics Committee to provide proof that he offered cash for votes to upstage Blatter in the elections for Fifa presidency.

"I am not alone. I am not a dictator as has been said," said Blatter, who is in Rio to attend Saturday's draw for the 2014 World Cup.

He added there will be "zero tolerance for everybody, on the pitch and off it... not only for my neighbour, my friends, my colleagues, my opponents, referees, but also for presidents of associations".

"Not only are we working against corruption, but also against doping and discrimination.

"All this work has started. We now have work against illegal betting... you have seen the incredible number of federations implicated in fixed matches."

"I can't comment on the decisions of the ethics committee... but it will be reinforced," he said.

"Not only to have a code of ethics but also to have a code of conduct."

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Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.

Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

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Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

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Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

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Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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