Arsenal will welcome Newcastle to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening – and there will be new some VAR rules in place for the Carabao Cup clash
It’s that time of year already, the first piece of silverware is on the horizon.
Arsenal and Newcastle both have their eyes on the prize, and they’re three games away from victory as they square off in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash on Tuesday (January 7).
And when they meet at the Emirates Stadium, there will be some new VAR rules in place. As part of a trial by PGMOL, referees will announce the final decision over the stadium tannoy after any visit or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball or offside judgements.
An EFL statement posted earlier this month 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.”
A similar system was used at the Women’s World Cup in 2023, where referees explained their decision to the crowd in attendance over the stadium loudspeaker.
It continued: “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.
“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 will be in use for the first time in the competition this season for both semi-finals – and it will be used in the resulting final at Wembley.