The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) confirmed the BetMcLean Cup final will feature Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. Linfield and Glentoran are scheduled to contest the match at Windsor Park on 8 March. This fixture marks the first instance of the technology being implemented in a domestic competition within the country, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
NIFL officials have worked with the Irish Football Association to facilitate the trial. The move follows successful VAR tests conducted during international fixtures and European club matches held in Belfast. Match officials for the final will receive specialised training to operate the system, per the Irish News.
League organisers aim to assess the impact of the technology on match flow and decision accuracy before considering wider adoption. The NIFL stated that the introduction of VAR for the showpiece final represents a significant milestone for the professional game in Northern Ireland. Windsor Park already possesses the infrastructure required to support the video review equipment.
