In-stadium video assistant referee (VAR) announcements will be trialled in English football for the first time during January’s Carabao Cup semi-finals. The trial will take place across both legs of the ties between Arsenal and Newcastle United,

In-stadium announcements of video assistant referee decisions will be used in England for the first time in the Carabao Cup semi-finals – months after their Premier League rollout was scrapped amid opposition from club managers.

January’s Carabao Cup semi-finals will mark the debut of in-stadium video assistant referee (VAR) announcements in England. This trial will bring fans closer to the action and provide greater insight into refereeing decisions. It can improve the matchday experience for fans who want to know why certain VAR decisions were made.

As part of a trial move, referees will announce their decisions after VAR reviews to stadium spectators and viewers at home. This includes decisions reviewed when looking at the pitchside monitor, or when there has possibly been a handball by a goalscorer and on offsides.

For the first time, referees in England will announce any video assistant referee (VAR) decisions to fans inside stadiums during the Carabao Cup semi-finals.