Negre says video referral is here to stay

NEW DELHI: International Hockey Federation (FIH) Leandro Negre on Saturday gave a thumbs up to the video referral system saying it has been “highly successful” with an overwhelming seventy-five percent correct decisions.

Negre said the success rate of the video referral system, which came under a cloud during India’s group match against South Africa, has been a step in right direction for the sport and it will only improved.

“I am very happy with the new technology. Seventy five percent of the decisions taken were right which is quite high considering we were trying it our for the first time in an event of the magnitude of World Cup,” he said.

Before that, the system was only tried in the Champions Trophy and some club competitions.

“We thought of introducing it in the World Cup with some changes because in a bigger event you have more scope to know how it is functioning,” Negre said.

“If you ask me whether I have any concerns with the new system, yes, of course. But we can only see how to take it forward. The teams should learn how to use it and so should umpires. The system can only improve,” Negre said referring to the errors.

“Hockey is a fast sport and it is difficult for the on-field umpires to look at everything happening on the field. That’s why we thought of bringing in technology.”

Negre went a step ahead to say that Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has asked FIFA to take note of the referral system being used here.

“Louis van Gaal is impressed with the system and he has asked FIFA to take a leaf out of it and see if something similar can be done in football.”

Asked whether teams should get more than one challenge, Negre said: “I think one challenge is enough. There should not be any opportunity for the teams to misuse it. It has worked well so far. If you are right with your call, you continue.”