Coventry City and VAR - why Sky Blues fans don't need to worry about it yet
The Premier League will be using VAR for the first time in 2019/20
Josh ChalliesSports Content Writer
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One major talking point for the 2019/20 season is the introduction of Video Assistant Referees in the Premier League, which will be used at every match and every stadium during the course of the campaign.
The technology, although still controversial, will be a significant change for the teams involved in those matches - but will VAR be used in other competitions like the EFL? Here's everything Coventry City fans need to know.
Will the EFL use VAR in 2019/20?
No. The Premier League will be the only division in English football next season using Video Assistant Referees throughout the campaign and it will not be in place for matches in the Championship, League One and League Two.
This continues the stance adopted by the EFL in 2018/19 where, despite the technology being available, VAR was not used in the playoff finals at Wembley.
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Will the EFL ever have VAR?
It's possible but it is also difficult due to the significant differences in budget for clubs in the Premier League and the Football League, with former EFL chief Shaun Harvey admitting in July 2018 that VAR was still a 'fair way away' from being introduced in the EFL.
"It has its attractions but we don't have the TV cameras in place that are standard fare now at Premier League clubs.
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"One of our bigger concerns, ultimately, is around match officials and the staffing of it.
"We need the best officials we have got out live on a Saturday afternoon with a whistle or a flag.
"We need to keep as many of them active in those roles for as long as possible. The primary focus has got to be getting them out into the middle."
Will the Carabao Cup and FA Cup have VAR?
The Sky Blues could come into contact with VAR in cup competitions, depending on the draws.
VAR will be used in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during the 2019/20 season but only in Premier League grounds where the technology is already in place.
This continues the trend set during the 2018/19 season, which also saw VAR used in cup matches at Premier League grounds.
Will the playoffs in 2020 have VAR?
This is yet to be confirmed, although the stance from the EFL previously was that it was unfair not to have VAR for an entire season and then have it in place for the playoffs. As such, they may adopt the same stance.
It may still change though and you can expect it to be discussed later in the season.
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