LONDON: The Premier League, criticised for its timidity over video assistance for referees, will test VAR technology across five games for the first time on Saturday.

VAR was a major success at the World Cup finals in Russia in June and July after initial concerns over speed of decision and communication issues.

the Premier League, after a number of ‘closed’ tests last season, wants to see how the system copes with several games at the same time. The trial, across all the 3pm kick-offs, will be at the central VAR hub.

There will be no communication with anyone at the grounds at which the games are taking place. VAR is limited to goals, penalty calls, direct red cards and cases of potential mistaken identity.

In April, Premier League clubs voted against introducing VAR for the 2018-19 campaign. As with last season, it will be used in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, but only at top-flight grounds. Used, with teething problems, for 19 games last term, a number it is thought will rise to about 60 this season.

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