Champions League to use VAR from last-16 stage this season
UEFA also confirms implementation of VAR at 2019 Europa League final, in 2019 Nations League finals and in next year's European Under-21 Championship finals
Monday 3 December 2018 12:46, UK
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used in this season's Champions League from the last-16 stage, UEFA has confirmed.
The technology was due to be introduced next season but has been fast-tracked after a series of high-profile refereeing mistakes, with the UEFA Executive Committee announcing the decision after a meeting in Dublin on Monday.
The committee has also decided to use VAR at the 2019 Europa League final, in the 2019 Nations League finals and in next year's European Under-21 Championship finals.
"We are ready to use VAR earlier than initially planned and we are convinced that it will be beneficial for our competitions as it will provide valuable help to match officials and will allow to reduce incorrect decisions," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said.
VAR will also be used in the 2019/20 Champions League, from the play-off stage of the competition, and at the 2019 UEFA Super Cup. The technology will subsequently be used at the Euro 2020 finals, in the 2020/21 Europa League from the group stage onwards and in the 2021 Nations League finals.
Premier League clubs have also agreed to introduce VAR, which is already being used in the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A, next season.
UEFA is the last major competition organiser in world football to allow referees to use video replays to make better decisions.
