Dec 30, 2024, 10:47 AM ETReferees will announce their decisions after consulting VAR monitors to the entire stadium at the Carabai Cup semifinals. James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
This season’s Carabao Cup semifinals will see the trial of in-stadium VAR (video assistant referee) announcements for the first time in English football.
Across both legs of the Arsenal – Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur – Liverpool semifinals, the referee will announce his final decision through the stadium PA after consulting with the pitch side monitor or upon reaching the conclusion of factual matters like accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside offences.
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“The new pilot forms part of PGMOL’s [Professional Game Match Officials Limited] broader commitment to transparency and embracing technological advancements for the benefit of Match Officials and fans,” the English Football League (EFL) said in a statement on Monday.
“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.”
In-stadium referee announcements have previously taken place at the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, the 2023 under-20 World Cup and the the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
