Premier League to introduce VAR trials this month

It is reported that the English Premier League will trial VAR at 15 matches this season, starting after the international break this weekend.

According to Sky Sports News, referees oversight body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) want to prove the system is fit for purpose before presenting findings to Premier League stakeholders, ahead of fully introducing VAR next season.

The first trial will take place for five 3pm kick-offs on Saturday September 15 to see how the VAR hub at IMG in Stockley Park copes with multiple matches simultaneously.

Sky Sports News reports that an ‘as-live’ match scenario will be enacted but there will be no contact between the VAR team at Stockley Park and the officials at the various matches. It says referees have been encouraged by the use of VAR at recent EFL Cup games. VAR is also due to be tested during some FA Cup ties this season.

VAR made its high-profile FIFA World Cup debut this summer in Russia, and is currently in use in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A.