The Associated Press, citing sources with knowledge of the situation, reported that video review is being fast-tracked into the Champions League this season, according to a report.
The sources told AP 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 football’s governing body had originally 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 red card and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling won a penalty for tripping on the turf.
Video review is already used in Serie A and the Bundesliga and will be in place for the 2019-20 Premier League season.