Major League Soccer to implement video ref system

NEW YORK: Major League Soccer will implement the video assistant referee (VAR) system league-wide in August, making it among the first domestic leagues to use the video review system hailed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the Confederations Cup in June.

"The introduction of Video Review into MLS league matches is the culmination of more than three years of extensive research and testing of video review technology by MLS and the Professional Referees Organization (PRO)," MLS said in a statement on Thursday.

"In addition to Video Assistant Referee-specific camps and education sessions, preparations have included more than 100 matches - both live in-game and offline tests - at stadiums around the country that have provided invaluable training opportunities for VARs and referees."

The statement noted that MLS and PRO partnered with the United Soccer Leagues to facilitate the first test of the system in live competition on Aust 12, 2016.

Australia's A-League announced in April that it would become the first top-level domestic football league in the world to implement the VAR system.

Germany and Portugal are slated to test it in their upcoming seasons. Infantino has indicated the technology could be in place at the 2018 World Cup.

MLS will begin use on August 5, after their mid-season AllStar Game exhibition. It will be used for the remainder of the season, including the MLS Cup playoffs and MLS Cup title match.