REFEREES' CHIEF COLLINA IN FAVOUR OF VAR FOR CORNERS

WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Benama-PA Media/dpa) -- FIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina is in favour of using video assistant referee (VAR) to rule on corner kicks at the upcoming World Cup, saying it would be a pity for an "honest mistake" by a referee to determine the outcome of a match, reported PA Media/dpa.

It was reported earlier this week that FIFA was keen to extend the VAR protocols to cover corner kicks at the finals in the United States (US), Canada and Mexico.

For it to happen at this late stage, it would have to be adopted as a trial by the sport's lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is holding its annual business meeting next month.

Collina, the chairman of FIFA's referees committee, said at a briefing in Washington, DC, on the eve of the World Cup finals draw that he was open to introducing it.

"I think we should all have as the objective to make correct decisions on the field of play," the Italian said.

"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 made by the decision-maker.

"This is what convinced us 13, 14 years ago to start thinking about how to support referees (with technology). So if we can get this, to me, it's positive.

"We discuss, and we will see what the outcome will be because I think the objective would be worth it." Asked whether checking corners risked further delays to matches, Collina replied: "The main criterion is no delay. With corners, there is a physiological delay because when a corner is given, normally you wait until the two centre-backs come up.

"It normally takes 10-15 seconds to get the attackers ready. In these 10-15 seconds, if the corner kick is wrongly given … everybody has the evidence that the start of play is wrong and to me, it's difficult to understand if they can see that (the decision is wrong). Why do we have to hide our heads under the sand and hope that nothing happens on the corner kick which is taken?"

The IFAB announced in October that there had been discussions around giving VARs the power to intervene where a second yellow card has been incorrectly awarded, which could be a further new innovation at the 2026 World Cup.

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham, a director of the IFAB, has previously said he is opposed to further extending the VAR protocol, telling the BBC in July that there was no need to expand its remit.

--BERNAMA-PA Media/dpa