Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea on Sunday afternoon will be officiated by Video Assistant Referees (VAR).
The controversial technology was introduced to the Premier League at the start of the season, having been used sporadically in the Carabao and FA Cups last term, and the FA confirmed to Nottinghamshire Live that all third round ties held at Premier League stadiums this weekend will operate it.
It’ll be the first time the Reds have played under VAR, with previous cup ties at Chelsea and Arsenal in the past year not utilising it.
The use of VAR has courted controversy on an almost weekly basis this season, and has previously attracted criticism from members of Forest’s first team squad, though Reds legend Garry Birtles has supported it.
"Please limit VAR to offsides only,” said winger Joe Lolley.
“The use of it at the moment is atrocious.
"Inconsistency," he continued when asked what exactly was wrong with the technology.
"Some of the decisions that have been overturned have been debatable and then they’ll ignore other similar decisions."
"There’s no line for ‘clear and obvious’. At least offsides are fairly black and white, like goal line technology,” added the 27-year-old.
Like Lolley, Reds defender Joe Worrall has previously lambasted it, saying “VAR will ruin football.
“You can’t keep stop starting the game - just let it flow and let the officials do their jobs.”
