Longer periods of stoppage time are likely at the Confederations Cup as world football governing body FIFA seeks ‘more playing time’ amid the testing of video reviews to help referees.

Former striker Marco van Basten, now FIFA's chief technical officer, said breaks for video reviews would lead to additional minutes but that other breaks in play should not lead to a reduction in net playing time.

‘We want a more accurate calculation of stoppage time,’ he said. ‘We want more playing time.’  Video assistant technology is being tested live at a major tournament for the first time. There have been tests during friendlies and other games, and the system was tested at the just-ended Under-20 World Cup in South Korea.

FIFA refereeing chief Massimo Busacca said the technology should help referees ‘to eliminate a clear scandal in football, the mistake that after many years you still remember.’   There had been positive experiences with live testing at the U-20 World Cup, he said.

If video reviews for key incidents - penalty awards, red cards, goals scored and cases of mistaken identity - are approved they could be used for the World Cup in Russia next year.

FIFA has said it wants to see what impact video reviews have on the behaviour of players and referees as well as the reaction of spectators in grounds and watching on television.

The rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB) will make a final decision on the use of the video reviews next year, or 2019 at the latest. 

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