VAR will be introduced for the BetMcLean Cup final, marking its inaugural use in a professional Northern Irish football match. ' VAR operations will be controlled by officials from outside the Irish League and will come at no cost to NIFL or the participating clubs. The experience gained from the final will inform any future decisions regarding broader implementation of VAR across NIFL competitions.
Irish FA Head of Refereeing Andrew Davey said the use of VAR in the final is an exciting step forward for the league and refereeing in Northern Ireland. However, contradictory statements have emerged regarding club support for the VAR decision. On one hand, NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor stated that both Linfield and Glentoran fully support the decision to introduce VAR for the final.
On the other hand, Linfield were notified about the VAR decision 'less than an hour' before the public announcement and claim no formal consultation took place. Glentoran manager Declan Devine claims the club was told 'three minutes' before the news was posted on social media. Linfield is not opposed to VAR but has concerns over the lack of prior communication and consultation.
The controversy extends to refereeing personnel. ' Rumors have circulated that two Irish League referees have pulled out of their weekend assignments due to the VAR decision. Gerard Lawlor said he has heard the rumors about referees pulling out but is unaware of the reasoning and has not spoken to the Irish FA about it.
Reactions from other football figures have varied. Former Irish League referee Raymond Hetherington said officials are human and mistakes are part of football, which will continue even with VAR. Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter is in favor of VAR being introduced across the entire Irish League but opposes its use in a one-off game like the final.
The introduction of VAR in this high-profile final represents a significant moment for Northern Irish football, potentially setting a precedent for future matches. The match is scheduled for March 15, 2026, in Belfast, with both teams preparing for what could be a historic encounter under new officiating technology.