The Northern Ireland Football League has confirmed that video assistant referee (VAR) technology will be used in Northern Ireland domestic football for the first time during the upcoming BetMcLean Cup final between Linfield and Glentoran.
The decider between Belfast rivals Linfield and Glentoran will be played at Windsor Park on Sunday 15 March at 15:00 GMT.
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A statement released by the NIFL on Friday said: “This milestone represents a significant step forward for domestic football to bring the league more in line with European competition standards.”
“Although VAR will not replace the authority or judgment of on-field referees, it will serve as a technical support mechanism aimed at improving the accuracy, fairness and transparency of decision-making on key match events.
“This match will be officiated on the pitch by Football Association of Ireland match officials. However, VAR operations for this match will be managed by experienced referees from outside Northern Ireland using the Hawk-Eye system used in FIFA and UEFA competitions to ensure technical proficiency during the introductory phase.”
The statement explained that the cup final will “provide an ideal controlled environment to assess operational procedures, communication protocols and the overall integration of VAR into the domestic matchday framework”.
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The experience gained will inform future decisions by the governing body regarding the wider implementation of VAR in NIFL competitions.
NIFL chief executive Gerard Lawlor admitted the decision would not be supported by all parties but highlighted the benefits of using the technology.
“The introduction of VAR into this game represents a significant step forward for our league, enhancing decision-making and supporting our match officials,” he said.
“However, we recognize that this will not be a universally popular decision and the implementation of any new technology will bring review and adjustment.
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“This competition provides us with a valuable opportunity to evaluate and familiarize ourselves with the technology in a controlled environment, while providing practical benefits to the refereeing team and our clubs, particularly those competing in European competitions where the technology may be required.”
Andrew Davey, Head of Referees at the Football Association of Ireland, added: “The use of VAR in the BetMcLean Cup final is an exciting step for both the Northern Ireland League and referees.
“Introducing this technology into such an important match highlights our ongoing efforts to provide referees with the highest standard of officiating tools.”