Video Assistant Referee is now a part of football
Football is never going to be the same again. In a massive change to the sport, the International Football Association Board "unanimously approved" the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) on a permanent basis. The decision was taken in a meeting in Zurich on Saturday. It means video assistant referees will be used at this year's World Cup in Russia.
IFAB writes technology into laws of game
"As of today, video assistant refereeing is part of football. We hope and encourage a favourable decision in this respect because we are very positive about VAR." FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.
After several trials VAR to be used at World Cup
VAR has been on trial in English cup games this season and has also been tried out in Germany and Italy. Football Leagues and competitions will now have to apply to the IFAB to implement the VAR system. VAR was first brought into use at the Club World Cup in December 2016, and then was again tried out at the 2017 Confederations Cup.
EPL and Champions League won't implement VAR so soon
The English Premier League will not hurry into using the VAR system and is not expected to introduce it next season. UEFA has already made it clear that it will not implement VAR in the Champions League next season. France's Ligue 1 is happy to introduce it from next season, while the German Bundesliga will decide on March 22.
When does VAR come into use?
Video Assistant Referees can be used to refer incidents with respect to goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identities.