VAR IS COMING!
Well.. we already knew it's arrival was expected for the 19/20 PL season after clubs that compete in the League came to an agreement, but the implementation of the VAR into the FA Cup is happening sooner than the end of the season.
This season it has been in its testing stage with the VAR being set up for different Premier League matches across England but not being used in live during matches.
One man that will be particularly happy of VAR's premature rival is Rafa Benitez - if you remember his interview after the defeat to Wolves, you'll understand.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology is set to be used in the live match at St James' Park for Newcastle United's FA Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers and this tie along with nine others has been chosen to host the debut of the VAR.
The news comes over one week after Rafa's heated comments in his post-match Press conference following the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers where he said that English football needs VAR "now" after two controversial decisions made by Mike Dean; one where DeAndre Yedlin shown a straight red card, and another where a foul on Ayoze Perez by Willy Boly was committed and a penalty was completely overlooked.
A trial of VAR took place at St James' Park back in September when the Magpies lost 2-1 to Arsenal, but the technology did not influence any of the officials' decision-making during that match.
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