VAR's in-stadium announcements will be tested in next week's Carabao Cup.
The test will take place in the two games of the next semi-finals, where Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham will be in action.
It will be a first in English football, as the referees will announce the final VAR decision after visiting the pitch monitor or at the conclusion of the events.
A full statement from the EFL read: “VAR will be available for this season's Carabao Cup semi-finals, alongside the first use of VAR in-stadium advertising in English football.
'As part of the trial, the referees will announce (via the stadium public address system) the final decision after a visit to the VAR monitor on the pitch, or following the conclusion of factual issues such as an accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside rulings. Only the final decision will be announced at the stadium.
“VAR announcements in stadiums have already been successfully introduced at several FIFA events, including the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, and aim to provide greater clarity and understanding around key decisions to fans in the stadiums and those watching from home.
VAR in-stadium announcements to be trialled in next week's Carabao Cup matches
The referees will announce the final decision of the VAR after moving to the field monitor
'The new pilot forms part of PGMOL's broader commitment to transparency and the adoption of technological advances for the benefit of match officials and fans. This latest pilot is supported by the EFL and follows a previous collaboration with PGMOL in 2018 to trial VAR in EFL competitions ahead of its introduction in the Premier League.
“The test will take place over both legs of the Arsenal-Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur-Liverpool semi-finals, with the first legs taking place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 7 January and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday 8 January.
“The winner of each tie will advance to the final which will take place at Wembley on Sunday 16 March.”
In August, refereeing chief Howard Webb laid out a six-point plan to improve the controversial technology that has proven so divisive since its introduction in 2019.
The six points include: improving the clarity of the threshold for VAR interventions, reducing delays in play, improving the fan experience, strengthening VAR training, ensuring better transparency and communication of decisions and an education plan continuous.
There has already been a particular focus this season on what the Premier League has called the 'referee call', which has placed emphasis on relying on on-field decisions unless there is 'readily available' evidence that a decision constitutes a clear and obvious mistake.
With that in mind, when a referee is told to go to his monitor in a VAR call, he is now shown images at full speed. The only time they are shown a slowed down video is when the point of contact needs to be established.
More to follow…
