Sunderland will experience VAR for the first time this weekend with the EFL confirming the technology will be in use at the League One play-off final at Wembley. The EFL said last week that VAR - the video assistant referee - would be in use at the Championship play-off final, but said that discussions were being held regarding its use in the League One and League Two finals.
But the EFL has today confirmed that the technology will be used in all three play-off finals, starting this weekend when the Black Cats take on Wycombe Wanderers. A statement from the EFL said: 'The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be used at all three upcoming EFL Play-Off Finals at Wembley.
'With VAR having already been confirmed for the Sky Bet Championship Final on Sunday, 29 May, it will also be used at this Saturday's Sky Bet League One Final between Sunderland and Wycombe Wanderers, as well as the Sky Bet League Two Final on Saturday, 28 May. It will be the first season VAR will be used at the EFL Play-Offs Finals.'
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VAR was introduced in the Premier League in 2019, and has also been used in some FA Cup games and showpiece finals, but grounds below top flight level have not been equipped with the technology.
There was no VAR in operation for Sunderland's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in December, meaning the Black Cats have yet to be involved in a fixture where the system is employed. Hawkeye goal-line technology will also be used in all three play-off finals.
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