Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Magazine      Advertise  
NEWS
Sepp Blatter says Fifa will trial TV referral technology and announces intention to run for fifth term as president
POSTED 09 Sep 2014 . BY Tom Anstey
Blatter has been president of Fifa since 1998 Credit: Shutterstock.com/kojoku
Sepp Blatter has said a football TV referral system may be trialled in 2015, allowing coaches to challenge a referee’s decision for the first time ever.

The Fifa president, who also revealed while speaking on video link at Manchester’s Soccerex conference that he will stand for a fifth term in his current position, said the trials would likely happen at next year’s Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

The trial would see managers for each side able to challenge at least one official decision each half, possibly two, and will only be able to be done where all matches receive television coverage.

The on-field referee will still have the final call on whether or not to change the decision, but the use of video technology will allow him to look at it in greater detail.

The idea is similar to the of the National Football League (NFL) where each team’s coach is allowed two opportunities per game to make a coach's challenge, a system used in American Football in its current format since 1999.

During the wide-ranging interview, Blatter also said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will have to be played in winter despite fierce opposition and a consultation has started with the players' union FIFPro, clubs, leagues and the six continental federations about moving the ever more controversial tournament, while also stating that a boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia would not work or have any benefit.

Speaking on his intention to seek a fifth term as Fifa president, Blatter said he would make an official announcement at Fifa’s executive committee meeting on 25 and 26 of September.

"I got through the last congress in Sao Paulo not only the impression but the support of the majority, a huge majority of national associations asking: 'Please go on, be our president also in future,” said Blatter, who has the support from five of six continental bodies, with only Europe opposing his presidency.

The vote is scheduled for 29 May in Zurich, with the only other candidate so far being the former Fifa international relations director Jerome Champagne.

RELATED STORIES
  Brazil’s economy slips into recession in World Cup year


This year’s FIFA World Cup has not had the desired effect on host nation Brazil’s fortunes on or off the pitch.
  Pioneering 360 filming experience to debut in FIFA’s World Football Museum


The 2014 final of what has been touted by football fans and media alike as the greatest World Cup of all time, has been filmed using a pioneering 360° Ultra HD viewing experience to debut in FIFA’s recently approved World Football Museum, opening in 2016.
  FIFA World Cup 2022 will not be held in the Summer says Valcke


FIFA’s general secretary Jerome Valcke, has said that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will be moved from the traditional summer date (June-July) over fears that the temperature would have an adverse effect on both fans and players.
  Blatter 'expects' January 2022 World Cup


FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed that the 2022 World Cup could be held in January due to host country Qatar's hot summer.
MORE NEWS
Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Everyone Active
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Job location: Harrow, Middlesex , United Kingdom
Self Employed Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary: Competitive
Job location: Enderby
+ More jobs  

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Life Fitness/Hammer Strength

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength works with some of the world’s most recognised hospitality brands, su [more...]
Serco Leisure

Serco Leisure Operating Limited is one of the UK’s leading national operators of leisure centres, de [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
HCM
LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
HEALTH CLUB HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
Sepp Blatter says Fifa will trial TV referral technology and announces intention to run for fifth term as president
POSTED 09 Sep 2014 . BY Tom Anstey
Blatter has been president of Fifa since 1998 Credit: Shutterstock.com/kojoku
Sepp Blatter has said a football TV referral system may be trialled in 2015, allowing coaches to challenge a referee’s decision for the first time ever.

The Fifa president, who also revealed while speaking on video link at Manchester’s Soccerex conference that he will stand for a fifth term in his current position, said the trials would likely happen at next year’s Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

The trial would see managers for each side able to challenge at least one official decision each half, possibly two, and will only be able to be done where all matches receive television coverage.

The on-field referee will still have the final call on whether or not to change the decision, but the use of video technology will allow him to look at it in greater detail.

The idea is similar to the of the National Football League (NFL) where each team’s coach is allowed two opportunities per game to make a coach's challenge, a system used in American Football in its current format since 1999.

During the wide-ranging interview, Blatter also said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will have to be played in winter despite fierce opposition and a consultation has started with the players' union FIFPro, clubs, leagues and the six continental federations about moving the ever more controversial tournament, while also stating that a boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia would not work or have any benefit.

Speaking on his intention to seek a fifth term as Fifa president, Blatter said he would make an official announcement at Fifa’s executive committee meeting on 25 and 26 of September.

"I got through the last congress in Sao Paulo not only the impression but the support of the majority, a huge majority of national associations asking: 'Please go on, be our president also in future,” said Blatter, who has the support from five of six continental bodies, with only Europe opposing his presidency.

The vote is scheduled for 29 May in Zurich, with the only other candidate so far being the former Fifa international relations director Jerome Champagne.

RELATED STORIES
Brazil’s economy slips into recession in World Cup year


This year’s FIFA World Cup has not had the desired effect on host nation Brazil’s fortunes on or off the pitch.
Pioneering 360 filming experience to debut in FIFA’s World Football Museum


The 2014 final of what has been touted by football fans and media alike as the greatest World Cup of all time, has been filmed using a pioneering 360° Ultra HD viewing experience to debut in FIFA’s recently approved World Football Museum, opening in 2016.
FIFA World Cup 2022 will not be held in the Summer says Valcke


FIFA’s general secretary Jerome Valcke, has said that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will be moved from the traditional summer date (June-July) over fears that the temperature would have an adverse effect on both fans and players.
Blatter 'expects' January 2022 World Cup


FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed that the 2022 World Cup could be held in January due to host country Qatar's hot summer.
MORE NEWS
Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skop acquisition
Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of the Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of its strength ecosystem.
Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept designed to bring this fast growing, but rather expensive, modality into the mainstream.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Life Fitness/Hammer Strength

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength works with some of the world’s most recognised hospitality brands, su [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS