FIFA In Talks With Potential Sponsors Of Video Replay During World Cup

A FIFA exec said that video replays will be used at the World Cup for the first time "and talks are underway with potential sponsor branding to appear when the technology is used," according to Rob Harris of the AP. Football's rule-making panel met Monday to "assess recent trials" ahead of video assistant referees being officially approved by FIFA later this season for use in Russia in June and July. FIFA CCO Philippe Le Floc’h said, "Definitely VAR will happen. It’s great to have technology in football because this is also a fair(ness) thing." Video replays "could lead to delays in games in Russia as different angles are reviewed," presenting an opportunity for FIFA to "brand up the segment on the global broadcast feed." Floc'h: "We are talking to various technological companies who are very interested with what we are doing on the technology side of things" (AP, 1/22).