Football
Reuters 6y

Asian Cup finals to use Video Assistant Referee technology

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) plans to introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system at next year's Asian Cup finals, it said on Thursday.

Top flight leagues in Spain, Italy and Germany have implemented the system, which allows key incidents to be reviewed with the use of video replays, and the technology was used at the World Cup in Russia.

The AFC said it had received approval from FIFA and the rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB) to use VAR at the tournament, which kicks off in the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 5.

"Asian football is determined to embrace technology for the good of the game and we are looking into the introduction of VAR at some stage during the AFC's pinnacle competition -- the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates," AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement.

"We saw VAR first hand during the World Cup and it was clear to everyone that there needed to be a great deal of training of officials and investment in facilities to make sure the system was effective and a positive addition to the game.

"We are grateful for the support of FIFA and IFAB, and now I have asked the administration to ensure all the logistical elements and practical arrangements are in place so that we can introduce VAR to enhance the AFC Asian Cup."

VAR uses a trained referee with access to a video monitor and in constant communication with the main match official, who checks decisions considered to be match-changing.

It was hailed as a success at the World Cup but there have been complaints about the system disrupting the flow of the game while decisions are reached and confusing fans.

The extended 2019 Asian Cup will see 24 teams taking part for the first time, an increase from the 16 that competed in the last four editions.

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