Morocco has become the first member association in Africa to use the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in a local competition.

Following the authorisation from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and an assessment and approval from Fifa experts earlier this month.

In an important step for the further development of football and refereeing in Africa, VAR was used for the first time ever in a domestic competition on the continent when it was used during the Coupe du Trône semi-final match between Difaa Jadida and Ittihad Casablanca on Saturday, 9 November 2019 at Tangier Stadium.

Referees from across Morocco officiated the match, providing an important opportunity to use the technology as well as the chance to gain valuable experience during high-profile domestic cup competition.

Prior to the match, VAR and football technology experts from Fifa visited the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Marrakech to assess and approve the VAR set-up in Morocco.

While the Coupe du Trône semi-final was the first time VAR has been used in a domestic competition in Africa, VAR was also previously used at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt from the quarter-final stages onwards.