UEFA score another VAR own goal as technology won't be used in Europa League until final

The VAR controversies just keep on coming for UEFA.

Incredibly, video refs will not be used in the Europa League this season until the final in Gdansk next May.

It is because there are so many games and not enough VARs or technology for all the games and therefore it will not be used throughout the group stages of the competition.

Sadly, it must be seen as a blow for the Europa League which is already regarded as a poor relation to the Champions League which will use VAR this season from the play-offs all the way to the final.

But UEFA has seen sense on the Nations League finals and plans to scrap the third-place play-off in future.

England played what felt like one of the most pointless fixtures ever in June when they beat Switzerland on penalties, having lost to Holland in the semi finals.

The World Cup always has the ridiculous third place play-off and UEFA has shied away from it for the Euros.

It’s good to see they are planning to do the same for the Nations League, a tournament which is an excellent new addition for international football.

Rojo suffers last-gasp Everton heartbreak

Marcos Rojo was left furious on transfer deadline day when a loan move to Everton fell through.

This column has been told a deal with Manchester United was agreed only for a last minute disagreement on the loan fee and Everton walked away.

The Argentina defender could still leave before the end of the European window but was unhappy as he was set on Everton.

Meanwhile, Chelsea want a £5m loan fee for Tiemoue Bakayoko who is interesting Monaco in what would be a return to the French club.

Bale’s relationship with Zidane at an all-time low

Gareth Bale has been left in limbo at Real Madrid with his relationship with Zinedine Zidane at an all-time low.

They have not had a meaningful conversation for two years and things have gone from bad to worse this summer as a deal was agreed for Bale to go to China only for Real president Florentino Perez to block it.

One of Zidane’s key gripes is believed to be that Bale struggles to train with the rest of the squad on particular days in the build-up to games because of the Welshman’s own personal programme to manage his fitness.

But surely Bale is worth giving a little bit of extra understanding bearing in mind his incredible success at Real Madrid, including four Champions League titles which must make him the most successful British football export of all time.

Super Cup official impress – but football still has a long way to go…

There has been widespread praise for UEFA and their appointment of French official Stephanie Frappart, the first female referee to take charge of a major European final.

She was excellent, authoritative and decisive. But it is worth remembering football still has a long way to go.

Back in February, Iranian TV cancelled a broadcast of Bayern Munich against Augsburg because Germany’s highly-respected female ref Bibiana Steinhaus was in charge and she was wearing shorts.

UEFA setback regarding new-look club tournaments

The European Clubs’ Association has been sounding out smaller clubs around Europe in the past fortnight to try to garner support for the new-look club tournaments.

But even so, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has now called off a planned meeting on September 11 until “meaningful conversations” can take place as they struggle to push through reforms.

They need more clubs on board for the shake-up which would potentially see the Champions League effectively closed off and reserved for Europe’s big five leagues and with the Premier League getting as many as six places.

But there has been a big backlash from smaller clubs even though UEFA insist bringing in a third club competition would give them a better chance of success.

Realistically, UEFA have to get the agreement done at some point this season for the next TV deal and there is a big summit for the clubs planned in London on October 27.