Carabao Cup to trial significant rule change with Liverpool and Arsenal affected

In a first for English football, referees will make in-stadium announcements on the outcome of VAR reviews during the semi-finals of this season’s Carabao Cup. The EFL confirmed on Monday that VAR will be in use for the two-leg semi-finals of the competition.

However, the most significant change will be a pilot allowing referees to announce the final outcome of VAR reviews to spectators in the stadium and viewers at home. This includes decisions reviewed by the referee at the pitchside monitor, or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgements.

In-stadium announcements have not been used in the English game before, with the most memorable recent example of this approach being trialled at last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The EFL released a statement which 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.

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Referee Qin Liang

In-stadium announcements were used at last year’s Women’s World Cup (Image: PA)

"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 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."

VAR has previously been utilised in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. However, it was not used in last season’s semi-finals due to Middlesbrough, one of the final four teams, not using the technology in their league games.