The Video Assistant Referee will be tested for the first time in an international match during the Italy - France friendly in Bari on 1 September 2016. The new technology has entered the experimental phase and Italy volunteered to have offline tests during the next two seasons.
It is now confirmed the first use of FIFA VAR will be at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, when Italy host France in a friendly on 1 September 2016. This means the assistant referee viewing video images will be in communication with the referee, without interrupting the game for replays. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice-Secretary General Zvonimir Boban will be present at the match. It is hoped this pilot scheme will provide useful suggestions for the next sessions of VAR experimentation. “The FIGC is honoured to host the first experimentation of VAR in an international encounter,” said Federation President Carlo Tavecchio. “I thank FIFA and IFAB, with whom we have a constant rapport. Italy are on the front line of the process of modernising football, which was inaugurated by President Infantino, and the start of experimentation off-line in Serie A from October is a clear example”.
There will be a press conference on 2 September 2016, at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, to present the findings, including international referee Bjorn Kuipers, who will officiate the Italy - France match, and a representative of Hawk-Eye Innovations.
Source: FIGC
