Twitter reacts as Premier League are set to implement VAR from next season
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The breakthrough technology of video assistant referees (VAR) is set to be used in the Premier League starting next season after league clubs have agreed to its introduction in principle.
The English top flight has been testing out non-live trials this season and the VAR has now been confirmed to be used at the start of the 2019-20 season pending approval from FIFA and the International Football Association Board.
The Premier League made the announcement in a statement that read, "The League will now formally make a request to the International Football Association Board and (world body) FIFA to use VAR next season."
VAR was used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia over the summer and top leagues in Spain, Italy and Germany have also jumped on the bandwagon. In England, the technology was utilised in some FA Cup and Carabao Cup games.
UEFA has also confirmed that it will introduce the technology in the Champions League next season.
The decision comes in the wake of controversy regarding some questionable referee decisions in Southampton's 1-1 draw with Watford last weekend.
In the post-match interview, Saints striker Charlie Austin angrily demanded the introduction of VAR after his goal was wrongly denied by referee Simon Hooper, who considered Maya Yoshida to have interfered from an offside position.
The striker said, "People go on about VAR. They [the referees] clearly need help."
"If this is the best, most-watched league in the world then give them all the help they need. It is a joke."
Following the league's VAR announcement, Southampton jokingly tweeted that Austin was changing the world one interview at a time.
The tweet read, "Changing the world one interview at a time! 😂 Fancy taking a look at #Brexit while you're at it, @chazaustin10? 👀 #saintsfc"
Other Twitter users have also responded to the news on the social media platform: