Referees will make stadium announcements about the outcome of VAR reviews in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next month, a first for English football.
Decisions reviewed by the referee on the pitch monitor, or objective issues such as an accidental handball by a goal scorer or offside calls, will be announced to the crowd to assist with clarity and understanding.
Stadium advertisements are common in the NFL and rugby, but have not been used before in English football. The system was tested during last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“The new pilot forms part of PGMOL’s wider commitment to transparency and the adoption of technological advances for the benefit of referees and fans,” read a statement from the EFL.
“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.”
Arsenal will face Newcastle over two legs in the first semi-final, with the first leg taking place on January 7. Tottenham will face Liverpool in the other semi-final, with the first leg being played against Spurs on January 8.
