VAR (Video Assistant Referee) will be in place for the Carabao Cup semi-finals as we take on Liverpool in the first leg of our tie at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening (8pm UK). Arsenal face Newcastle in their first leg on Tuesday evening.
This includes the first use of in-stadium VAR announcements in English football.
As part of the trial, referees will announce (over the stadium public address system) the final decision following a visit to the VAR pitchside monitor, or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgements. Only the final decision will be announced in the stadium.
In-stadium VAR announcements have already been successfully introduced in several FIFA events, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and aim to provide greater clarity and understanding around key decisions to supporters in the stadiums and those watching from home.
The new pilot forms part of PGMOL’s (Professional Game Match Officials Board) broader commitment to transparency and embracing technological advancements for the benefit of Match Officials and fans. This latest pilot has the support of the EFL and follows earlier collaboration with PGMOL in 2018 to trial VAR in EFL competitions ahead of its introduction in the Premier League.