var goal — LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: A goal scored by Reiss Nelson of Arsenal is checked and later disallowed due to VAR during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

VAR to be used during Arsenal v Olympiacos

Feb 18, 2020

VAR will be used in the Europa League knock-out stages which start this week with Arsenal welcoming Olympiacos to the Emirates.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: No gaol by David Luiz of Arsenal after VAR review during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on December 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: No gaol by David Luiz of Arsenal after VAR review during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on December 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Despite being used in the Champions League, VAR was not made available during the Europa League group stages. Now we’ve got to the knock-out round, UEFA have decided to let it be used.

“We believe that VAR is a crucial project for football,” Uefa’s referees committee chairman, Roberto Rosetti while also commenting on how it has been a success in the Champions League.

One place it certainly hasn’t been a success is in England, where the Premier League have made a right dog’s dinner of its implementation.

This was again on full display as Harry Maguire avoided a red card against Chelsea on Monday night despite clearly being shown to have kicked out at an opposition player while Olivier Giroud had a goal disallowed because his toenail was offside.

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I’m quite looking forward to seeing it used somewhat more sensibly when UEFA officials roll into town.

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