Pierluigi Collina, the influential chairman of FIFA's referees committee, has publicly advocated for the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to review corner kick decisions at the next World Cup.
No Delay is the Key Condition
Speaking at a media briefing in Washington, the iconic former official stressed that his support is contingent on one critical factor: the process must not slow down the game. Collina pointed out that there is a natural pause of 10-15 seconds after a corner is awarded while teams organise themselves, which could be used for a swift VAR check without interrupting the flow of play.
"I think we should all have as the objective to make correct decisions on the field of play," Collina stated. "It would be a pity if the result of a competition is decided not by what the players do on the field of play but by an honest mistake." He expressed a personal fear of a wrongly awarded corner leading to a decisive goal in a major tournament.
Broader Talks on Law Changes
Collina confirmed that discussions are also actively underway regarding other potential uses of technology. Conversations are taking place over whether VAR could adjudicate on second yellow card offences. These talks will continue at the next meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales next March, leaving time for potential implementation at the 2026 World Cup.
Furthermore, FIFA is exploring ways to combat time-wasting tactics, a topic Collina highlighted. This includes instances where goalkeepers go to ground, potentially feigning injury to allow for tactical instructions from the bench. He also mentioned FIFA's interest in exploring AI-based innovations to assist match officials, though he provided no specific details.
The Path to Technological Integration
Collina's stance reinforces football's ongoing technological evolution, which began with goal-line technology over a decade ago. His argument centres on using available tools to ensure fairness, especially in high-stakes matches. The key considerations for any new implementation will be:
- Accuracy: Ensuring the correct call is made on whether the ball fully crossed the line or which team last touched it.
- Speed: Maintaining the game's pace and avoiding additional stoppages.
- Clarity: Providing clear and quick communication to players, officials, and fans.
With the next IFAB meeting scheduled for March, the football world will soon learn whether Collina's vision for VAR-assisted corner kicks will become a reality for the global showpiece in 2026.
