Today, The IFAB and FIFA are launching the first workshop on Video Assistant Referees (VARs) since the decision taken to allow VARs in football as an option for competition organisers, taken by The IFAB on 3 March this year.

Representatives from more than 65 football organisations from across the globe will learn about the main learnings from the past experiments, the implementation procedure and the related mandatory assistance and approval programme as well as how the project must be planned and prepared for a successful launch.

Best practices and main challenges will be shared, accompanied by presentations by MLS and DFB on their experience with VARs so far, as well as feedback from the German team of match officials who will officiate the international friendly between England and Italy on 27 March played at Wembley stadium. This match will also be equipped with VARs and the attendees will experience first-hand the VAR operation during the match.

FIFA will summarise their experience using VARs in some of their top competitions so far and will share their plans and preparations for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in Russia this summer.