UEFA has confirmed that Video Assistant Referee technology could be introduced in the Champions League and Europa League before the end of this season, with the knockout rounds now under consideration.
In Brussels on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and European Club Association chairman Andrea Agnelli said the system would be in place “at the latest next season,” but both indicated that an earlier rollout remained possible.
Ceferin said preparations had already begun and pointed to work being done by UEFA referees chief Roberto Rosetti and his team. He added that the governing body was waiting for a report before deciding when implementation could begin.
“We have started to do all the preparation. [UEFA referees chief] Roberto Rosetti and his team are very good. There are important points of view – the referees and all the technical aspects. “I expect the report in a week or so and then we will see when we can implement it. At the latest next season.”
Agnelli said the wording still allowed room for an earlier launch and welcomed UEFA’s work on the project. He added that clubs were pleased with the direction the process was taking.
VAR had already been rolled out at the 2018 World Cup and in La Liga during the same campaign, and UEFA had previously said it would be used next season. The latest comments now leave open the possibility of its use in this season’s European knockout stage.
The timing matters for clubs still alive in the competition, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham, all of whom were in contention to reach the Champions League knockout rounds.
