Ligue 1 adopts VAR from next season

Paris, December 15: The Ligue de Football Professionnel has announced that video assistant referees (VAR) will be used in Ligue 1 from next season.

VAR was trialled in France in the Ligue 1 relegation play-off at the end of last season, while the technology is already in use in the Bundesliga.

LaLiga has previously confirmed VAR will be used in Spain's top tier for the 2018-19 season and Ligue 1 is now following suit.

"The LFP board validated on Thursday December 14 the principle of the use of video assistance for refereeing in Ligue 1 for the 2018-19 season," an LFP statement said.

"This use of video assistance for refereeing has been wanted by everyone in the game."

VAR will also be used in France for the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France from the quarter-finals of this season, as well as during the Ligue 1 play-offs.

However, not everyone within football has welcomed the arrival of VAR, which caused controversy at the Club World Cup this week.

Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane complained that VAR decisions were taking too long, while Gareth Bale said football was better without the use of technology.

Source: OPTA