'Not universally popular' - Lawlor on VAR move
Linfield and Glentoran will contest the BetMcLean Cup final at Windsor Park on 15 March
- Published
The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) has confirmed that the upcoming BetMcLean Cup final between Linfield and Glentoran will see Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology used for the first time in Northern Ireland domestic football.
The decider between Belfast rivals Linfield and Glentoran will be played at Windsor Park on Sunday, 15 March at 15:00 GMT.
"This milestone represents a significant step forward for domestic football, aligning the league more closely with European competition standards," read a statement released by NIFL on Friday.
"While VAR will not replace the authority or judgement of the on-field referee, it will serve as a technological support mechanism aimed at enhancing decision-making accuracy, fairness, and transparency in key match incidents.
"The fixture will be officiated by Irish FA match officials on the field of play. However, VAR operations for this match will be managed by experienced referees from outside Northern Ireland using the Hawk-Eye system, as used in Fifa and Uefa competitions, ensuring technical proficiency during this introductory phase."
The statement explained that the cup final would "provide an ideal controlled environment to evaluate operational procedures, communication protocols, and overall integration of VAR into the domestic matchday framework".
The experience gained is set to inform any future decisions the governing body will make regarding potential broader implementation of VAR across NIFL competitions.
'It will bring scrutiny and adjustment'
NIFL chief executive Gerard Lawlor acknowledged that the decision would not attract support from all quarters but highlighted the benefits of using the technology.
"The introduction of VAR for this game represents an important step forward for our league, strengthening decision-making and supporting our match officials," he said.
"We recognise, however, that this will not be a universally popular decision and that the implementation of any new technology brings scrutiny and adjustment.
"This game represents a valuable opportunity for us to assess and become familiar with the technology in a controlled environment, while providing practical benefits to both the Referee Team and our clubs, particularly those participating in European competitions where its use may be required."
Irish FA Head of Refereeing Andrew Davey added: "The use of VAR in the BetMcLean Cup Final is an exciting step forward for both the league and refereeing in Northern Ireland.
"The introduction of this technology for such a significant fixture underlines our ongoing efforts to support referees with the highest standards of officiating tools available."
'Could be first step towards new Irish League era'
VAR was used during Linfield's Champions League qualifier against Shelbourne at Windsor Park last year
Inevitably, there is much scepticism among supporters on social media as to how successful this milestone introduction of VAR in Northern Ireland will be given how it already divides opinion across Europe's top leagues.
NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor and Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson have previously spoken of their desire for VAR to be introduced in Northern Ireland, but have indicated it had been cost prohibitive and they were looking at alternatives.
It is interesting they have secured the full VAR operations with the Hawk-Eye system for a one-off game, particularly the first cup final meeting of Linfield and Glentoran for 16 years with assured qualification for the end-of-season European play-off final on the line.
Windsor Park has the relevant equipment necessary for the implementation of VAR given it has hosted multiple Northern Ireland men's and women's international fixtures in which the technology has been used.
Indeed, Linfield and Larne have both experienced the use of the technology at the south Belfast venue during their European qualifiers.
NIFL's statement confirmed that officials from outside Northern Ireland will be operating the technology, so will NI referees be there to observe how it is functioning at the final?
If not, you have to question what benefit it could serve in Irish Premiership games if NI-based officials are not qualified to operate VAR and have no experience of doing so.
The use of VAR in the final seems essentially a trial which will be not be implemented at league games in the immediate future, but it could be the first step towards its eventual introduction to ensure the Irish Premiership comes in line with other European leagues.
