18 Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Sports Don’t be totally VAR dependent: Ballan tells referees at FIFA seminar in Doha

FIFA’s Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca (Centre) with Hani Taleb Ballan, Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Referees take part in the five-day FIFA Promising Referees Seminar in Doha on Monday.(JALAL PATHIYOOR) Referees Committee during a seminar in Doha on Monday.

Monday during a FIFA Promis- tee Hani Taleb Ballan said. the pitch of play.” level it is a different mental- consistency, uniformity and we FIFA holding ing Referees Seminar, which is Video-assistant referees He added that VAR is not ity of football and approach to must all be on the same page part of FIFA’s preparations for (VAR) were introduced into meant to change the referee- refereeing decisions. For that during this discussion.” referees’ seminar the upcoming women’s World the FIFA World Cup for the Technology has helped us ing concept but rather, “we reason you must be ready in Referees from the Asian Cup editions in France 2019 first time last year in Russia with VAR, which is always are only providing the tech- the game, our expectations Football Confederation, Oce- ahead of World and men’s U-20 World Cup in but the technology resulted in available but should be nology to help you when it is from you are that you under- ania Football Confederation Poland 2019 respectively. some controversial and debat- used to the minimum. You needed or a critical moment stand what is happening on the and the Union of European Cups 2019 “You have all seen how ed decisions at the World Cup must still maintain your that you cannot really take pitch, understand the game, Football Associations will par- much technology has helped in Russia. the decision.” and players and the tactical ap- ticipate in the Doha-based five IKOLI VICTOR us with VAR, which is always Given some of the con- performance on the field of The five-day seminar is to proach that should be relevant days seminar. doha available but should be used to troversies generated by these play and keep the help the FIFA committee select for each game,” said FIFA’s The seminar is used by the minimum. You must still decisions, Hani Ballan said refereeing approach on the potential referees for future Head of Refereeing Massimo FIFA as a training mechanism Potential 2022 World Cup maintain your performance referees must, “Maintain the field, so you don’t become tournaments of the world soc- Busacca. for referees who are likely to referees must ensure that the on the field of play and keep focus and understanding of the totally dependent on the cer governing body. You have to produce every be part of the two elite tourna- use of video review is minimal the refereeing approach on game, be aware, right position- “It is a good opportunity for time you go on the pitch, have ments and involved physical so as not to be totally depend- the field, so you don’t become ing and movement, manage- VAR. the new referees to show their good results so that your deci- and endurance tests, practice ent on the technology during totally dependent on the VAR ment of situation & players, FIFA Referees Committee capabilities, potentials, and sions are not questioned then on simulations, lectures, pres- matches. because it is only an extra tool all these concepts have to be in Deputy Chairman Hani Taleb readiness to participate in a you are considered an elite ref- entations and audio-visual The instructions to 40 offi- to help you,” Deputy Chairman your mind and must be trans- future tournament,” he added. eree,” Busacca added. analysis of real-time decision cials in Qatar were outlined on of the FIFA Referees Commit- ferred by your performance on Ballan “When you get to the FIFA He continued: “We want making on the pitch. Manchester City hope momentum India snooker event postponed will boost final push for PL title over Pakistan visa row afp Tensions between the posed competitors were of Pa- New Delhi nuclear-armed rivals have kistani origin. DPA risen following a February 14 “Since their visas will be an London An Indian snooker tourna- suicide attack in Kashmir in issue we informed the Asian ment has been indefinitely which 40 Indian paramilitar- body and they postponed the Champions Manchester postponed in a row over visas ies were killed. event. They are looking for City will be hoping to build for Pakistani athletes follow- “It might be moved out, it venues elsewhere,” he said. on the momentum of their ing a suicide bomb attack New has already been postponed,” The IOC has also told indi- League Cup win as the Pre- Delhi has blamed on Pakistan. a senior Asian Confederation vidual sports federations not mier League title race heads The 10 Reds Asian Tour of Billiards Sport (ACBS) of- to award events to India until towards its final phase. event, scheduled to be held in ficial said of the tour event, it can guarantee visas for all One point behind Liver- Bangalore next month, looks speaking on condition of ano- competitors. pool at the top, City host West likely to be cancelled after or- nymity. The Kashmir attack Ham on Wednesday, fresh ganisers said they could not “The participation of every sparked nationwide outrage in from victory over Chelsea in guarantee Pakistani competi- member nation is paramount India where there have been a penalty shoot-out at Wem- tors would be allowed into the and is the responsibility of the calls to boycott the India- bley on Sunday. Manager Pep country. host country.” Pakistan cricket World Cup Guardiola said winning tro- It follows the Internation- After legs in Qatar and match in England in June. phies could only help his side al Olympic Committee’s sus- China, the Bangalore tourna- Pakistan has denied in- but injuries may yet play a role pension of talks with India on ment was to be the third on volvement, but India’s captain in the destination of the title. holding major sports events the Asian tour. Virat Kohli said at the week- Fernandinho and Aymeric Manchester City’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the English League Cup against Chelsea last week after New Delhi re- But Billiards and Snooker end the team will stand by any Laporte are expected to miss at Wembley stadium in London on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) fused to issue visas to two Pa- Federation of India (BSFI) decision taken by the govern- the West Ham game after be- kistani shooters to take part in secretary S. Subramaniam ment and Board of Control for ing hurt at the weekend. day put them back on top of EPL standings (brief) Watford scoring five at Cardiff, a World Cup event. told AFP six of the 24 pro- Cricket in India (BCCI). “Fernandinho and Laporte the table, one point clear with coming now to Liverpool in a will be some weeks out,” Guar- 11 games to go. Team MP W D L PTS brilliant atmosphere. We have diola said. But Liverpool manager 1 Liverpool 27 20 6 1 66 to be ready again and we try 2 Manchester City 27 21 2 6 65 Quick read “Winning this game is Juergen Klopp will want much 3 Tottenham 27 20 0 7 60 everything to be ready again.” good for the enthusiasm for more from his side as an at- 4 Arsenal 27 16 5 6 53 Tottenham, six points the next games. But we are tacking force when they wel- 5 Manchester United 27 15 7 5 52 off the top in third place but Philippines to ‘do everything’ to have NBA’s Clarkson for World Cup going to suffer for the next come Watford to Anfield on 6 Chelsea 26 15 5 6 50 beaten at the weekend, will try competitions, especially in the Wednesday. Klopp will check to bounce back by winning at The Philippines said they were working hard to have NBA star Jordan Clarkson declared eligible for this Champions League and Pre- on the fitness of Roberto Fir- Chelsea in the pick of the mid- year’s World Cup as they celebrated their “against all odds” qualification on Monday. Former NBA player mier League.” mino, who had to come off attack, Klopp said they should week games. Andray Blatche led the way as the Gilas beat Kazakhstan 93-75 in Astana on Sunday to grab Asia’s final The absence of Fernandin- against United with an ankle take belief into their match Chelsea manager Maurizio qualifying spot for the tournament in China. The Philippines reached their second straight World Cup despite ho, in particular, is a concern problem, though Trent Alex- with Watford. Sarri is under pressure after a campaign that included a mass, on-court brawl with Australia that left 10 of their players suspended. since City’s only two league ander-Arnold is set to return “It’s still a point and keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga ap- Filipino-American Clarkson represented the Philippines at last year’s Asian Games, but the World losses this season came when at full back. now we have to use that,” parently refused to be sub- Cup operates under FIBA rules which could classify him as “naturalised” as he obtained his Filipino the Brazilian was missing. Liverpool dominated pos- Klopp said. “We will play on stituted late in the cup final passport after the age of 16. FIBA also restricts each team to one “naturalised” player, meaning the Liverpool’s goalless draw session against United and Wednesday again against a though parties later claimed it Philippines would have to choose between the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard and Blatche, who ac- at Manchester United on Sun- though they failed to fire in team full of confidence with was a misunderstanding. quired Filipino nationality by naturalisation. (AFP)

Joshua vows to ‘strip Miller of his soul’ in US bout

afp Monday’s event was rela- got, I’m going to strip him of his Twickenham, United Kingdom tively restrained until Miller Unbeaten soul. I’m going to be a surgeon suggested London’s Joshua had because I’m going to give him a has prom- had things “easy”. records makeover.” ised Jarrell Miller he will “strip “I’ve still got 10 years left in Last week native him of his soul” when he de- the sport,” Joshua said. “I don’t ● The June 1 clash will be Miller, a former kickboxer, was fends his world heavyweight know anything else. I like to between two unbeaten adamant he would stop Joshua titles as he responded to taunts knock people out and beat peo- boxers, with Joshua in seven rounds, a claim he re- from his US challenger he was a ple up.” boasting a record of 21 peated on Monday. “posh” champion. Former Olympic champion knockouts in 22 wins “I don’t need to think, I’ll British boxer Joshua will Joshua has largely avoided the compared to Miller’s mark just get it done. You’ve got to go fight in the United States for the kind of ‘trash talk’ common in of 23-0-1, with 20 KOs. balls to balls. If I ever doubted first time when he defends his the promotion of many box- myself I would not have made it IBF, WBA and WBO crowns at ing bouts but he appeared riled this far,” he said. in the Monday, particularly when and hard work and dedication “The game plan’s to stop challenger’s home city of New Miller said was now you can go far.” him in seven rounds. You know York on June 1. the talk of the British heavy- But Joshua insisted he too how I feel about AJ, and my It will be a clash between weight scene. had known hard times. back-story and where I come two unbeaten boxers, with Miller, making mock snor- “I got banned from the area from and where we’re going.” Joshua boasting a record of 21 ing noises during Joshua’s I was growing up in because I After abandoning plans knockouts in 22 wins compared opening remarks, said: “The fa- British boxer Anthony Joshua speaks during a press conference in London on Monday ahead of his forth- was getting into too much trou- to fight again at Wembley on to Miller’s mark of 23-0-1, with cial can’t fight for him, the fans coming IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight title match against US boxer Jarrell Miller. (AFP) ble,” he said. April 13, Joshua is now trying 20 KOs. can’t fight for him, he’s not the “The state of my hands to break in on the US market The pair had already held a popular one, all I here is Tyson to strip him of his soul in that a stage at a hotel near London’s “For all the underdogs out – this isn’t from , this where and testy press conference in New Fury now -- he (Joshua) is a ring. I’m going to reconstruct Heathrow Airport, said: “I’ve there who are told they’re not is from street-fighting. I’ve Fury have held sway since their York last week, with Miller pro- sucker.” his face and his body on June 1.” been hearing AJ’s too posh, his good enough, I’m proof that changed my whole lifestyle controversial draw in Los Ange- claiming Joshua a “fraud”. But Joshua said: “I’m going Miller, alongside Joshua on nose is up here sometimes. with one or two cheeseburgers around. All this spirit this boy’s les in December.