The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be implemented from the quarter-finals of next year's Asian Cup to be held in the UAE. The Asian Football Confederation announced on Thursday that VAR will be used in seven matches and at four venues - Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. "The decision to include VAR was only made on September 26 and that has meant a tremendous amount of work has been required to ensure that it can play a role at the tournament from the quarter-final stages," Windsor John, the AFC general-secretary said in a statement. The system allows referees to review video footage of key decisions such as the awarding of goals, penalties and red cards during matches. VAR was used at this summer's World Cup, with mixed results, and is already in use across the majority of Europe's major leagues including La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A. The Asian Cup, last held in the UAE in 1996, has increased from 16 teams in 2015 to a record 24 for the 2019 edition. The Asian Cup runs from January 5 to February 1 2019, with hosts UAE opening the tournament against Gulf neighbours Bahrain. <strong>______________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/uae-to-face-yemen-in-friendly-after-egypt-game-cancelled-1.791804">UAE to face Yemen in friendly after Egypt game cancelled</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/uae-fa-slam-advertising-agency-for-postponing-egypt-friendly-1.791312">UAE FA slam advertising agency for postponing Egypt friendly</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/var-set-to-be-introduced-at-2019-asian-cup-in-the-uae-at-some-stage-1.774488">VAR set to be introduced at 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE 'at some stage'</a></strong>
