FIFA and iconic referee Pierluigi Collina announce bodycams, AI and measure against ‘fake injuries’

First of all, the faked injuries will be tackled. “If a player requires intervention from the medical staff on the field, he will not be allowed to play for two minutes after being removed from the field,” said Collina, cynically adding: “This way he has time to heal.”

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The problem with goalkeepers faking injuries to give the coach time to set new tactical guidelines will also be addressed. “We are thinking about that, but we cannot say anything about it yet,” says the iconic Italian leader. “I also see that goalkeepers nowadays remain injured much more often, even with cramps, than a few years ago.”

Body cam

Just like at the Club World Cup, the referees will walk around with a bodycam during the World Cup for countries, so that TV viewers can also follow the match from their point of view. For offside, the VAR will immediately send a signal to the assistant referee.

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Collina also announced that VAR interventions for corner kicks and the second yellow card for a player are on the table, something that was already reported in several English newspapers earlier this week. “I do not rule out that these VAR interventions will also be introduced at the World Cup. In the at least 15 seconds that the central defenders need to come forward to head, that decision may or may not be corrected by the VAR,” said Collina.

AI

Johannes Holzmüller, FIFA Director of Innovation, also announced the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in football. Details about this will not be announced until January 6.

IFAB, the body that must decide on adjusting the rules of the game, has yet to give its final approval.