Di Francesco attends UEFA briefing on VAR

The Giallorossi are one of the sides who will get the last-16 of the competition underway next Tuesday, as they host Porto at the Stadio Olimpico.

UEFA invited representatives from all 16 clubs still in the Champions League to Germany, in order to brief them on how the system will be implemented in the competition.

UEFA Chief Refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti explained how the VAR team – comprising one video assistant referee, an assistant video referee and two video operators – will operate on site, supporting the referee and other match officials to make the right decisions during a game.

Per UEFA, Rosetti explained that the VAR team will constantly check for clear and obvious errors related to the following four match-changing situations: Goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents and mistaken identity.

“It was very important for us to speak directly with the clubs, to explain to them how we are planning to use VAR in the UEFA Champions League competition, and how we have prepared the referees for this,” Rosetti said.

“It is essential that everyone understands when the VAR can intervene, but also understands when the VAR does not intervene. There were good discussions, and the feedback we have received was very positive.”

“We are convinced that VAR will be beneficial as it will provide match officials with valuable help, allowing them to reduce clearly incorrect decisions - which is ultimately good for the clubs, the players, the coaches, the fans, the referees and the competition.”

Italian football is obviously no stranger to VAR, with Serie A using the system for almost 18 months now. In addition to the Champions League, UEFA have pledged to use VAR at the Europa League final, the UEFA Nations League Finals and the European Under-21 Championship this year.

Further roll-out of the technology will then continue in the 2019-20 season.