VAR made its debut in Marseille’s season-opening 4-0 home win over Toulouse on Friday night as Dimitri Payet scord a brace.
Video assistant referee technology has been introduced to France’s top flight this season and made its bow in the first half at the Stade Velodrome.
It was used for a penalty award in Marseille’s favour, and former West Ham star Payet stepped up to put his team ahead on the stroke of half-time.
The penalty was eventually given following handball by Toulouse’s Kelvin Amian, and the visitors could have few complaints at falling behind following an opening 45 minutes that Marseille dominated.
Payet, who missed France’s World Cup triumph through injury, opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time and added his second just after the hour mark at the Stade Velodrome.
Valere Germain slotted home the third in the 89th minute before Florent Thauvin added the fourth in injury time to secure a comfortable three points on a night which saw the World Cup trophy shown off to the crowd who also warmly welcomed back their world champion players Adil Rami and Steeve Mandanda.
The VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system had debuted at the World Cup in Russia and it made its entrance in the French top flight on Friday just before the half-time whistle.
Referee Ruddy Buquet had originally signalled for a corner after a header from Germain had come off the arms of Toulouse defender Kelvin Amian.
However, after a VAR consultation, the offcial awarded a penalty instead and captain Payet stepped up to beat goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet from the spot.
It was Payet’s 68th goal in 352 Ligue 1 games.
The clubs were separated by 14 positions in the league last season, with Marseille just missing out on a top-three finish, and that gulf in class appeared for much of the contest.
There was no way back for Toulouse when Payet added his second after 62 minutes, with Marseille continuing to exert control and adding further goals from Valere Germain and Florian Thauvin.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel had announced that video assistant referees (VAR) will be used in Ligue 1 from next season.
VAR was trialled in France in the Ligue 1 relegation play-off at the end of last season, while the technology is already in use in the Bundesliga.
La Liga has previously confirmed VAR will be used in Spain’s top tier for the 2018-19 season and Ligue 1 is now following suit.
“The LFP board validated on Thursday December 14 the principle of the use of video assistance for refereeing in Ligue 1 for the 2018-19 season,” an LFP statement said.
“This use of video assistance for refereeing has been wanted by everyone in the game.”
VAR will also be used in France for the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France from the quarter-finals of this season, as well as during the Ligue 1 play-offs.
However, not everyone within football has welcomed the arrival of VAR, which caused controversy at the Club World Cup this week.
Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane complained that VAR decisions were taking too long, while Gareth Bale said football was better without the use of technology.
The International Football Association Board must endorse the use of video technology before the LFP can implement the video assistant referee system permanently.
A number of trials have been carried out and continue to be run in various leagues and competitions across the world, and IFAB is expected to make a ruling at its annual meeting in early 2018. refereeing has been wanted by everyone in the game,” the LFP added in its statement.