Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 10y

France could test Sepp Blatter's 'review' system in Coupe de la Ligue

French Football League president Frederic Thiriez has put forward the Coupe de la Ligue as a potential testing ground for Sepp Blatter's video technology plans.

FIFA president Blatter, 78, has announced he hopes to introduce a system whereby slow-motion replays would be used in games to allow coaches to contest refereeing decisions on a limited basis.

The head of world football's governing body stated his goal of finding a competition in which to experiment with the system, and Thiriez -- a longtime advocate of video technology -- declared he was willing to volunteer France's secondary cup competition.

"Ten years ago, I demanded the right to use video in football. I had submitted a complete and well-argued project in 2005. They replied 'No.' I'm happy that, 10 years later, Sepp Blatter recognises that video technology would be an improvement in football," Thiriez told RMC.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm a candidate to experiment with video technology, in the Coupe de la Ligue for example, which has always been a competition of innovative technology."

He added: "Initially, I think it would be sensible that the referee decide upon the recourse to video by signalling so to his assistant. Let's not go too fast! We took 10 years to convince people, we now have to be cautious and reasonable."

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