Uefa poised to introduce VAR in knockout stages of this season's Champions League
Uefa will rubber-stamp plans to fast-track the use of video assistant referees for the knockout rounds of this season's Champions League on Monday.
VAR will be used from the last 16 through to the final and also at the Nations League finals, in which England are involved, in Portugal in June.
The governing body's executive committee, which meets on Monday in Dublin, is understood to be satisfied in the technology following its use at the World Cup in Russia.
The system, which is to be introduced in the Premier League next season, has undergone a series of successful trials to iron out any uncertainties in recent weeks.
Uefa were handed a report on Italy's friendly against the United States last month. The German Bundesliga and Serie A in Italy both already have VAR, while the Premier League has made a formal request to both the International Football Association Board and Fifa, the world governing body, to use VAR next season.
Southampton striker Charlie Austin hit out at the lack of VAR in the Premier League last month after seeing a goal controversially ruled out during the 1-1 draw against Southampton. "We go on about VAR this, VAR that - help the officials out, clearly they need help," Austin said in a heated post-match TV interview.
"We play in the Premier League, the best league in the world, the most-watched league in the world, give them all the help they need because clearly they cost us two points today. It's a joke."
The absence of VAR in the Champions League was also highlighted when Raheem Sterling was awarded a penalty for Manchester City against Shakhtar Donetsk despite replays showing that he had stubbed his foot in the turf. Uefa sources said the Sterling incident was unrelated to the fast-track decision.
Aleksander Ceferin, the Uefa president, previously said at a press conference with the European Club Association president Andrea Agnelli that next season would be "the latest for VAR". Agnelli, who is also chairman of Juventus, responded, saying: "The latest next season also means there is space for earlier implementation." After Ceferin nodded, Agnelli added: "We are delighted as clubs for that and we thank Uefa for the work they've been putting together."
Uefa’s executive committee confirmed on Sunday night its third European club tournament would launch from 2021 to 2022
One English club will qualify each year for the new format, which will feature 32 teams in a group stage.
The winner of the new contest, to encourage clubs from smaller countries, will be qualify for the following season’s Europa League.
