Sepp Blatter says managers should be given two challenges to refereeing decisions in proposal that would revolutionise football

FIFA president suggested introduction of reviews of immediate TV evidence

Proposal would have to be agreed by The International FA Board

Any change would take at least 18 months to be introduced



FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called for managers to be allowed two challenges to refereeing decisions during a match - a move which would lead to a revolution in how the game is played.

Blatter suggested that immediate reviews of television evidence should be allowed for up to two challenges by each manager.



The International FA Board, the game's law-making body, would have to agree to any such move and would take at least 18 months for a first decision.

VIDEO: Scroll down to see Sepp Blatter open the 64th FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo



Open to change: FIFA president Sepp Blatter

Speaking at the FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo, Blatter told delegates: 'We could do something more on the field of play.

'Why don't we give team managers the possibility of two challenges for refereeing during the match? If the manager disagrees with a decision why should he not ask for an immediate TV review with the referee?'

Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan, who is an IFAB board member, said such a change would be 'a complete departure' for the game.

Speaking at the Congress, Regan said: 'It would be a complete change from where we are now and I'm hearing that comment tonight for the first time.

' It would be a complete departure from what we have had.



'If the manager has an appeal and that results in the game being stopped, that interferes with how you and I understand football operates which is fast-moving, flowing, and that's what fans have come to expect.

Talking tactics: Blatter chats to FIFA executive member Theo Zwanziger

'A lot of debate has to go on. Goal-line technology is a black and white decision, but if it is a subjective decision you can look at it 100 times and sometimes you can't rule.

'It would have to be decided by IFAB and would have to go to the football and technical advisory panels, and it would be at least 18 months to two years.'

A trial has been taking place in lower league Dutch football involving the British-based firm Hawkeye and whether decisions can be relayed to referees in a matter of seconds from a control room looking at TV pictures.

Baseball has introduced a system of challenges in its most recent season, while tennis has employed similar challenges for line calls, and cricket allows up to three challenges in some of its competitions.

