Football
ESPN staff 6y

VAR set for Premier League trial in all games next season - report

VAR is set to be tested in every Premier League game next season ahead of its potential full introduction in 2019-20, The Times has reported, with the league saying it is "monitoring the trials being conducted in other competitions."

The test regime is likely after The Times reported earlier this month that several top flight clubs had reservations about the technology.

That means its implementation, due to be voted on at a meeting of clubs next month, is likely to be delayed for another year.

Although its introduction next season could yet be backed, a test regime appears the most likely outcome.

"We are open to considering new technology that assists match officials without disrupting the flow of the game, and are monitoring closely the Video Assistant Referee trials being conducted in other competitions," the Premier League said.

"The evidence and learning provided by those trials will inform further discussions with our clubs later this season."

A trial season would mean the Professional Game Match Officials Board assigning a video assistant to every fixture.

The video official would be in contact with the match referee about scenarios in which video refereeing might be used but would not rule on decisions.

Instead, the trial is designed both to increase the speed of VAR use and the experience of the officials using it.

It would also give another year for clubs to introduce changes, including big screens,ahead of full implementation.

VAR has been used at some games in both the FA Cup and the Carabo Cup this season, with the FA expected to back its expanded use in the former next season.

The English Football League is also set to continue its use in the Carabao Cup.

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