VAR to be used in Champs League last 16 matches as United draw PSG

For the first time ever, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be used in the UEFA-Champions League matches in the round of 16.

The announcement was made  on Monday during the last 16 draw that took place in Nyon, Switzerland which will see VAR being used for the first time after the completion of the group stages.

The first legs of the last-16 ties will be split over two midweek dates, on February 12/13 and 19/20, with the second legs played over March 5/6 and 12/13.

Defending champions Real Madrid will face Ajax while blockbuster ties involving Manchester United and PSG as well as Liverpool and Bayern, are also lined up

Fixtures

Manchester City vs Schakle 04

Juventus vs Atletico Madrid

Manchester United vs PSG

Tottenham Hotspurs vs Dortmund

Lyon vs Barcelona

AS Roma vs FC Porto

Ajax vs Real Madrid

Liverpool vs Bayern

Why VAR?

VAR was first introduced in the 2018 World Cup in Russia in the first match between hosts and Saudi Arabia.

The main aim of the VAR was to help on field referees with contentious match decisions. For the World Cup, a central team of four referees would watch each game from a room in Moscow to determine whether referees made the right call on offsides, fouls, and other decisions.

Since then, several leagues have embraced VAR, including Serie A (Italy), La Liga (Spain), Ligue 1 (France) and Bundesliga (Germany) with the English Premier League set to start using the technology next season.

VAR important decisions

The VAR decision to uphold a questionable penalty late on for Iran in their game against Portugal completely changed the outcome of the World Cup Group B. Controversially, Portugal proceeded to the elimination round after the one all draw, finishing second after Spain.

Raheem Sterling Bizzare penalty against Shakhtar Donetsk

In this case Sterling ran clear of the Shakhtar Donetsk defense, steadied himself to shoot, kicked the turf and fell and the referee who was not in clear angle to see the incident pointed to the spot.

City went on to score the penalty through Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, hence the two goals which gave them control over the game.

Although, Sterling apologized to the referee and Shakhtar players, the damage had already been done because city went on to thump Shakhtar 6-0. VAR would come in to help referees make crucial decisions. By UEFA introducing the technology, it would bring clarity and fairness to football across Europe.