Blatter: FIFA could allow video replays

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hinted football’s governing body could sanction the use of video technology in the near future.

Blatter has previously spoken out against the use of cameras, saying it would disrupt the flow of the game.

However, the world football chief now admits FIFA will discuss the matter in March and could bring in goal-line cameras after this summer’s World Cup.

“I’m not absolutely against it,” Blatter told Sunday newspaper SonntagsBlick. “If the technology is ready to adopt, then I am in agreement.

“If the security of the system is guaranteed then we will introduce it. But it will not be ready for the 2010 World Cup.

“But in any case it will be studied in March, at the next meeting of the International Football Association Board, the international body which establishes football rules and is the only one that can change them.”

Calls were made again for the introduction of video technology following Thierry Henry’s controversial handball which led to France’s extra-time winner against the Republic of Ireland in November’s World Cup qualifying play-off.

Blatter also ruled out the use of extra referees during the World Cup, something which is currently being tested in this season’s Europa League.

He added: “We will not make any experiments in this competition, not even with extra referees.”