Gianni Infantino says he prefer to keep moving football into the future. Lionel Cironneau / AP Photo
Gianni Infantino says he prefer to keep moving football into the future. Lionel Cironneau / AP Photo
Gianni Infantino says he prefer to keep moving football into the future. Lionel Cironneau / AP Photo
Gianni Infantino says he prefer to keep moving football into the future. Lionel Cironneau / AP Photo

Russia 2018: Fifa president Gianni Infantino prepared for VAR controversy at football World Cup


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Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he was braced for controversy at the World Cup after the use of video assistant referees was approved last month.

However, Infantino said the implementation of VAR, rubber-stamped by the Fifa council last month, was a necessary measure as the governing body looked to give its match officials every assistance in making correct decisions.

The VAR system has been trialled worldwide but its use in England has led to mixed reactions from players, managers and supporters, with those inside stadiums complaining of being in the dark while decisions were made.

Infantino conceded the system was not foolproof but, in a piece in April's edition of the Fifa magazine, he said: "I am sure that soon we will reach a stage in which VARs are part and parcel of the game and its flow.

"Right now, while technology is still a novelty in football, every single incident draws attention and is dissected like an anomaly - unlike the many seconds that we have grown used to wasting, say, in between free-kicks or throw-ins.

"Will there still be mistakes? Absolutely. Unavoidable ones. An important component of football refereeing is subjective, and for that we will always have to count on human judgement, which is fallible by nature - even more so when under enormous pressure.

"However, we have an obligation to provide match officials with all of the tools they need to help them take decisions as accurately as possible.

"And, yes, we will be ready for controversy. Whenever people care about something as much as they do about football, there will always be discussion.

"Football could either expose itself to a brand new controversy - arising from a willingness to improve the game - or settle for an existing, inert one. I am happy we chose the former."

Premier League clubs will vote on Friday on whether to introduce the system for the 2018/19 campaign.

At least 14 clubs need to accept the proposal but media reports suggest many are reluctant to ratify its use in the top-flight next term and are prepared to wait another season.

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Read more

Graham Caygill: Fifa should make video replays more simple

Video ref helps Italy halt England’s World Cup momentum

Fifa's Infantino confident VAR can have 'positive impact'

Pochettino is concerned after VAR mars FA Cup win

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Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

AGL AWARDS

Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)