Sky Sports’ co-commentator Gary Neville was left in stitches during the Carabao Cup final second leg when Simon Hooper implemented a little-known VAR rule
Gary Neville was left in stitches by a new VAR rule on Wednesday evening.
Alexander Isak thought he’d got Newcastle off to a flyer in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – with the Magpies already two goals to the good – when he lashed the ball past David Raya. However, he was ruled as offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Simon Hooper announced the decision, and the reasoning, to the crowd, leaving Neville in stitches. “I’ve never seen that before,” Neville chuckled, before adding: “That’s how to make referee’s unpopular!”
The new VAR rules were announced before the first leg last month. As part of a trial by PGMOL, referees were asked to 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.
A statement, released in early January 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.”