UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin hints at VAR roll-out in Champions League knockout rounds 

Video assistant referees (VAR) could be introduced to the Champions League and Europa League this season, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and European Club Association (ECA) chairman Andrea Agnelli have revealed.

European football’s governing body opted against using VAR this season despite it being used by most major European leagues and FIFA this summer at the World Cup in Russia.

Speaking at a joint UEFA and ECA press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, Ceferin said the European governing body’s refereeing chief Roberto Rosetti has been leading efforts to make sure UEFA’s pool of referees are ready for VAR and all ‘technical aspects’ have been addressed.

‘I expect the report in a week or so and then we will see when we can implement it – (at) the latest, next season,’ said Ceferin.

Juventus chairman Agnelli was sat beside Ceferin and added: ‘The latest next season also means there is space for earlier implementation and we are delighted as clubs for that and we thank UEFA for the work they’ve been putting together.’

With the Premier League agreeing last week to introduce VAR from next season, UEFA is the last major competition organiser in world football to allow referees to use video replays to make better decisions.

It has previously been suggested that UEFA may try to roll out VAR for the Champions League’s quarter-finals, which start on April 9, although the clubs are keen to introduce the system as soon as possible, which could be the first knockout round starting on February 12.

The Europa League’s 32 team knockout round starts on February 14, with the first leg of the quarter-finals on April 11.

The pair revealed VAR could be used in the Champions League and Europa League this season