VAR will be used in the Premier League for the first time this week as the 2019/20 season gets underway and many fans are already looking forward to seeing how West Ham's game with Man City pans out.
That's because the referee announced to take charge of the game is Mike Dean, known for his flair as the man in the middle, and that combined with VAR could prove to be a match made in heaven...or not.
David Coote will be the VAR official for the Hammers match against Pep Guardiola's two-time reigning and defending champions for the lunchtime kick off in Stratford on Saturday.
This season, all 380 matches will have a VAR, a qualified referee who will be watching the match via screens at the VAR Hub at Stockley Park in west London.
According to the Premier League official website: "The VAR will constantly monitor the match but will be used only for 'clear and obvious errors' or 'serious missed incidents' in four match-changing situations:
- Goals
- Penalty decisions
- Direct red-card incidents
- Mistaken identity
The on-field referee will have the final say as VAR is only used to advise them, not to make decisions for them.
Not only the appointment of Dean as referee has struck a bit of fear into Hammers fans but the double act of him and VAR is something that you're not going to want to miss.
Hammers fans at London Stadium on Saturday will be told of any VAR-related delay to the game by graphics on the two big screens in the north and south stands and in stadiums with big screens, like London Stadium, VAR may also broadcast clips for decisions that are overturned.
