VAR Will Not Be Used In Next Season's Europa League Group Stage

Illustration of the referee checking VAR before making a decision (Twitter @uefa)

JAKARTA - UEFA decided to postpone the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Europa League group stage until the 2021/22 season.

However, VAR will be used in the knockout rounds of next season's competition, as well as for the rest of this season.

Although UEFA originally planned to use this technology in next season's group stage, the executive committee decided last September to introduce it to the tournament in this knockout stage.

After the COVID-19 outbreak hit, European football's governing body realized that additional staff might be needed to work with VAR. To that end, they decided to cancel their use in the group stages until 2021/22.

On the other hand, the use of VAR continues to be controversial. In Spain, Barcelona continue to complain that VAR has been accused of being too profitable for their rivals Real Madrid in the race for the 2019/2020 La Liga title.

Tottenham Hotspurs coach Jose Mourinho also expressed his anger at VAR, when his team drew 0-0 against Bournemouth. Mou thinks Tottenham should be awarded a penalty because Harry Kane is fouled in box 12 right in the fourth minute. But the referee and VAR decided there was no foul.

🎥 Due to the uncertainties associated to the current situation, the #UEFAExCo has postponed the implementation of VAR in the #UEL group phase to the 2021/22 season. VAR will be used in the knock-out phase for the 2020/21 season and for the remainder of 2019/20. pic.twitter.com/oEwFP9jC8c

- UEFA (@UEFA) July 9, 2020

The former manager of Manchester United and Chelsea previously felt aggrieved by VAR when Tottenham lost 1-3 to Sheffield United because VAR canceled Kane's goal.