FA Cup trial plan for video assistant refs
VIDEO Assistant Referees could be deployed in English football as early as August when the EFL Cup first round takes place.
The Football Association has indicated VARs could be trialled in next season’s FA Cup, beginning in January 2018 with the FA Cup third round when Premier League teams join the competition.
But, if a trial is approved by the EFL board, VARs could be used in the EFL Cup from as soon as the first round.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “As part of a trial the board will consider allowing the EFL Cup to be utilised.
“There are a number of rounds of the EFL Cup prior to that (the FA Cup third round).
“Theoretically it could happen from the first round of the EFL Cup, which would be a team no higher than the Championship down to League Two.”
VARs are currently being trialled, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino keen to employ the system during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The video official in Tuesday night’s friendly between France and Spain corrected two wrong decisions – disallowing an offside effort by Antoine Griezmann and awarding a goal for Gerard Deulofeu after an incorrect offside flag. Spain won 2-0 in Paris.
Approval for VARs to be employed in the EFL Cup could come as soon as May.
There is likely to be a longer wait before VARs can be utilised in the Championship, League One and League Two, due to the lack of cameras currently available across stadia.
Although some stadia will have the capacity to utilise VARs in the league, the EFL believe it is important for the same facilities to be available throughout.
Goal line technology is likely to come into the Championship for the first time next season.
Harvey added: “One of the real challenges is the integrity of the games.
“Technology’s got to work with the EFL as well and be possible as part of the whole, not just in part. But that should never be interpreted as the EFL not wanting to embrace technology or being against it.
“It’s just the absolute practicalities and the cost effectiveness.” COVENTRY City’s Kyel Reid has been a regular a Wembley in recent years, having walked out onto the lush turf three times in the last four years.
He’s been on the winning side twice and therefore hoping to chalk up a hat-trick of winners’ medals when the Sky Blues take on Oxford United in the Checkatrade Trophy Final on Sunday.
The winger’s first experience was with then League Two Bradford City in the League Cup Final against Swansea City in 2013 when he was an unused substitute in a 5-0 thumping by the Premier League club after the Bantams had become the first team from the fourth tier to ever reach the finals of the competition.
Reid returned to the national stadium a few months later where he was in the starting line-up in a League Two play-off final, which Bradford won 3-0 against Northampton Town to secure their return to League One.
And, more recently, the 29-year- old was on the bench and didn’t get on as Preston North End triumphed 4-0 over a Swindon Town side that included current Coventry teammates Jordan Turnbull and the now retired Sam Ricketts in the 2015 League One play-off final. “I’ve had a bit of banter with Jordan Turnbull about that,” said Reid, who hopes his performances in his last two games have done enough to earn him his second start at Wembley.
“I have been there a few times, won twice and lost once and hopefully I can make a hat-trick of wins. It will be a great day, and great opportunity for everyone involved with the club.
“It isn’t often that you get to play at Wembley, to be able to play on one of the biggest stages is a great feeling and great atmosphere. All the boys are looking forward to it.”
Speaking to BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, Reid added: “I’m enjoying my football at the minute and playing with a smile on my face.
“It’s been a stop-start season for me but I can’t dwell on the past, just have to look forward to what’s in front of me now and when I do get an opportunity I know I have to do it for myself and the shirt I’m wearing.”
The bumper 71,000 plus crowd, that will include an incredible 43,000 and counting of the Sky Blue Army, is another reason to turn on the style.
“Over 43,000 City fans is a great turnout, especially to show that support after the season we have had, and hopefully it can turn the season into something positive.
“The gaffer has said we have to enjoy the occasion, just soak it up and do the business we need to do on the day and then enjoy it after because it’s not often that you get to play at Wembley and there’s probably a lot of players who haven’t played there in their careers.
“But it’s a great feeling, a great atmosphere and to play in front of that many fans is a great opportunity and all the boys are looking forward to it.”
He added: “I think it will be a good game because we have started to play well. It’s a better feeling for us going into the game with two wins behind us and hopefully we can take the performances into this game and get the win we need.”
I think it will be a good game because we have started to play well. It’s a better feeling for us going into the game with two wins behind us...