Carabao Cup: Referees to announce VAR decisions to crowd in Arsenal-Newcastle and Spurs-Liverpool semi-finals
During the Carabao Cup semi-finals, referees will announce VAR decisions to fans in English stadiums for the first time.
As part of the trial, the referee will announce the final decision after accessing the VAR pitchside monitor or after ruling on factual issues such as an accidental handball by the goalscorer or an offside move by an attacker.
Such announcements are common in other sports such as rugby league and American football, and the system 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Both legs of each semi-final – Arsenal vs Newcastle and Tottenham vs Liverpool – will be included in the trials.
Refereeing body PGMOL (Professional Match Officials Limited) said the move was part of its “commitment to transparency” and hoped it would bring greater clarity and understanding to key decisions.
Referees have been preparing for on-field announcements at training camp and have been practicing at the facility. Match officials will be announced on Tuesday.
The Premier League Match Center account on
first leg The cup semi-finals will be held on January 7-8, 2025, and the rematch will be held on February 5-6.
