FIFA approves VAR use at World Cup 2018

Video assistant referees will be used at this summer's World Cup finals after FIFA gave its blessing to their introduction.

The International Football Association Board unanimously approved the inclusion of VAR at the tournament in Russia at a meeting earlier this month, and world football's governing body has now backed the ruling.

"We need to live with the times," BBC Sport quotes FIFA president Gianni Infantino as saying.

"We wanted to give the referees tools so that they can make better decisions, and in the World Cup some very important decisions are made.

"It's not possible that in 2018 everyone in their living room knows a few seconds after the play whether a referee has made a mistake and the referee doesn't."

VAR has been trialled in English cup matches this season, as well as games in Germany and Italy, and has received mixed feedback.

France's Ligue 1 will introduce the technology next season, while a majority of Premier League clubs are expected to vote against its inclusion.