Carabao Cup: EFL confirm major VAR change for Arsenal-Newcastle and Liverpool-Tottenham semi-finals

VAR has not been in use during the tournament so far

The EFL have confirmed VAR (Video Assistant Referee) will be in place for this season’s Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Furthermore, the first use of in-stadium VAR announcements in English football will be trialled across all four fixtures as Arsenal, Newcastle United, Tottenham and Liverpool look to book a place at Wembley for the cup final in March.

An official statement reads: “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.

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“The trial will run over both legs of the Arsenal v Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool Semi-Final ties, with the first legs taking place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 7 January and at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday 8 January.”

There was controversy during this season’s quarter-final tie between Arsenal and Crystal Palace as Gabriel Jesus was offside prior to one of his goals and had VAR been in use, it would have been chalked off.

So far this season, VAR has not been used in the Carabao Cup. But the technology was always planned to be introduced for the semi-final matches, and for the final at Wembley Stadium.