Crystal Palace’s FA Cup Third Round match against fellow Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion has been chosen to test the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the first time in a competitive English fixture, according to a report on the Telegraph.
The Video Assistant Referee has been introduced in the German Bundesliga this season and has been given some good reviews after successfully overturning or awarding decisions which the referee on the field got wrong.
Roy Hodgson took his side south to The Amex stadium recently, where the two rivals played out a tight 0-0 draw.
The two clubs have not met in the FA Cup since 1976, when they faced each other three times in one season and their rivalry was well and truly born.
There will be some concerns regarding safety of supporters after more than 100 visiting supporters were held outside the Amex Stadium and refused access in the 0-0 draw in the Premier League.
VAR sets out to make the game fairer and is there to help out the referee. There is a team of VARs, made up of a current/former referee, video analyst and replay co-ordinator.
The referee can choose to take advice from them or can go to the sidelines and watch the replay footage himself on a TV screen.
The future of VAR in English football could depend on how successful this trial is.
