The new system has never been trialled before in English football
Referees will announce any video assistant referee [VAR] decisions to matchgoing fans inside stadium for the very first time during the Carabao Cup semi-final clashes.
Newcastle United’s double-header with Arsenal and the two Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur games will see the new system trialled after the Premier League vowed to try the new formula at some stage of this season. Refereeing authority, the PGMOL, say the move is to show its “commitment to transparency”.
The trial will see referees announce their final decisions on incidents such as handball or offsides after either going to the pitchside monitor or being informed of decisions from the VAR officials situated outside the stadium. These sort of announcements are already commonplace in sports such as American Football and Rugby.
A statement from the EFL read: “VAR will be in place for this season’s Carabao Cup Semi-Finals, along with 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 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.”
The Carabao Cup semi-finals will be played on 7 and 8 January 2025, with the return fixtures on 5 and 6 February.
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