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FIFA look to trial manager referrals, perhaps as early as next season

Image: Sepp Blatter: Reveals plans for manager referral trial

Sepp Blatter has revealed a proposal to allow managers to challenge refereeing decisions is under consideration by FIFA.

Blatter suggested a trial could happen as soon as next year at the FIFA-controlled Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

He made the revelation in his speech to Soccerex in Manchester, when he also confirmed he would, contrary to a previous statement, stand for re-election as president of football's governing body.

"They have the right in the half, twice or once, to challenge a refereeing decision but only when the game is stopped," he said.

"Then, there must be a television monitor but by the television company and not by another referee.

"And then the referee and the coach, they will go then to look, and then the referee may change his mind, as it is the case in tennis, for instance."

"It can only be done where there is television coverage of all the matches.

"Or in one FIFA competition, we can try in a youth competition, an Under-20, like next year when we are in New Zealand."

FIFA have also confirmed a January date for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is back on the agenda after a meeting of their task force, despite Blatter previously ruling that out in favour of a likely November tournament.

The task force includes representatives from confederations, FAs, leagues and clubs as well as the players' union FIFPro, the European Clubs Association and Qatar 2022 chief executive Hassan Al Thawadi.

"Discussions centred around the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and participants were presented with information on the implications of staging the event in winter as opposed to summer, as proposed by the FIFA executive committee," said FIFA in a statement.     

"FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke clarified that, based on the hosting agreement, the FIFA World Cup must be held in 2022.

"The options of January/February 2022 and November/December 2022 were put forward as alternatives to June/July 2022, and initial feedback received."

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