Football Notes: VAR To Be Used in FA Cup Third Round Replays

The video assistant referee will be used in the FA Cup third round replays between Chelsea and Norwich City, and Leicester City and Fleetwood Town. VAR was used for the first time in a competitive English club game as Brighton & Hove Albion beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup third round on Monday. Despite suggestions that Brighton player Glenn Murray's winning goal brushed off his arm, the test was "deemed to be a success" (BBC, 1/9).

Outgoing Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Carlo Tavecchio said Wednesday that he "did not expect" a new national team coach to be appointed before June. Italy has been without a coach since Giampiero Ventura was sacked after the country failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Tavecchio was "forced to resign as FIGC chief but will remain in charge until his successor is elected later this month" (AFP, 1/10).