Fifa to consider radical changes
Graham Poll has been among the officials at the centre of recent controversies
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Friday, 24, Nov 2006 09:00
Goal-line technology and changes to the hectic fixture schedule are among the proposals to be looked at by world governing body Fifa.
A Fifa task force, chaired by Barcelona president Juan Laporta, are also set to propose that all top-level referees should become professional.
Fifa delegate Jerome Champagne said back-to-back international matches could be switched to Saturday and Tuesday, from Saturday and Wednesday, to give players more time to recover.
"This is all about the credibility and confidence in the game," Champagne told the Reuters news agency.
"Friday and Tuesday was first proposed but FIFA feels Saturday is a family day to watch football."
Champagne added that Fifa are keen to improve the standard of officiating.
"We are also proposing the age limit of 45 be kept for top referees.
But they will be kept on board in another capacity in such a way they can help us to improve refereeing through training, education etc," he said.
Another idea being discussed is when a player is injured or needs treatment on international duty, the club doctor will receive a full medical report.
The controversial issues of insurance for players and clubs receiving compensation for injuries is also expected to be discussed.
Fifa are locked in a legal dispute with French giants Lyon and Belgian side Charleroi over a compensation claim for their players injured while on international duty.
The task force will meet again early next year before giving its final proposal to the FIFA Congress in May.