VAR to be used in Champions League knockout stages this season

There's no going back now

VAR technology will be introduced to the Champions League for the knock-out stages this season, the UEFA Executive Committee have confirmed. Despite not being used in the group stages, the technology will be implemented for the round of 16 onwards. It was expected that the system would come into use for next season's Champions League, but UEFA have accelerated the process due to pressure from clubs. “We are confident that introducing VAR in August 2019 will give us enough time to put in place a robust system,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin told UEFA media channels three months ago. “It will afford us sufficient time to train match officials to ensure an efficient, successful implementation of VAR in the Champions League, the world’s flagship club competition.” VAR was used at this year's World Cup and was largely a success, clearing up several penalty decisions, including one in the final between France and Croatia.