VAR video technology will make its English competitive club debut in tonight’s FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Brighton.
The Video Assistant Referee, which was trialled but not used in England’s goalless draw in a friendly against Germany in November, will be available to the officials in the third-round encounter between fierce rivals Palace and Albion at Selhurst Park.
The FA announced that it will also be used in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal – the first leg is on Wednesday – as well as the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
VAR technology can be called upon in three “game-changing” situations; goals, penalties and straight red cards. It can also be used to correct cases of mistaken identity by the referee.
Referees’ chief Mike Riley said “It’s going to take us time. You’re actually asking a generation of referees to relearn or learn new processes and skills.
“It will never be 100 per cent because it’s so subjective on certain things and we’re asking the clear and obvious question.
“We don’t want errors. If through this we make that four per cent [of incorrect decisions] two per cent, we’ve benefited the game.
“There will still be debate; there will still be interest. We are not sanitising the game through VAR.”
The system is being trialled in Serie A and the Bundlesiga this season and was used in the Club World Cup in December 2016.