UEFA to Fast-Track VAR for 2018-19 Champions League Knockout Stage
DUBLIN (AP) – Video review is being fast-tracked into the Champions League this season.
People with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that UEFA's executive committee is set to approve video assistant referees from the round of 16 in February. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss UEFA's plans publicly ahead of Monday's meeting in Dublin.
European soccer's governing body had originally only intended to introduce VAR from next season, starting in the the Champions League qualifying playoffs in August.
Video review can help referees overturn clear errors in game-changing situations. This means incidents involving goals scored, the award of penalty kicks, red cards, and cases of referees showing cards to the wrong player.
Without VAR this season in the Champions League group stage, Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for Juventus after a disputed decision and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling won a penalty for tripping on the turf.
