For the first time in English football history, referees will announce VAR decisions over the stadium's public address system during a match, and the historic development is set to be experienced across the upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final.
Arsenal host Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on January 7, while Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur the following day for the match. The first quarter-final matches. The reverse fixtures will take place in the first week of February and all four ties will be subject to a new development in VAR.
Following up on the initiatives adopted by other competitions, Carabao Cup The semi-final referees will be able to communicate the decisions they make in conjunction with VAR directly to fans in the stadium – and therefore to those watching on TV with the sound turned on.
A statement Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) – English football's refereeing body – has revealed that the PA system will be used every time a referee is directed to the pitch-side monitor or “concludes factual matters such as an inadvertent handball by one of the scorers”. . Or offside violations when the attacker touches the ball.”
PGMOL described the measure as “part of our broader commitment to transparency including providing greater clarity and understanding around key decisions.”
A follow-up statement from the English Football League, the governing body that runs the Carabao Cup, stressed that “the final decision will only be announced at the stadium”, and was not an explanation behind the call.
PGMOL's Chairman of Referees, Howard Webb, has made an active effort to remove the veil of mystery that often hangs over refereeing decisions, leaving a void that is always filled by conspiracy theories. This campaign for transparency has taken shape Match Officials Mic'd Up – A bi-monthly show featuring a former World Cup final referee Reviews the most controversial decisions In the English Premier League – and In-game explanations From your Premier League Match Center
During an episode of Mic'd Up last April, Webb teased this ad update. “We are looking for ways to improve the experience on the field,” the former Premier League official said.
“One of the things you'll probably see in FIFA tournaments, like the Women's World Cup, are referee announcements as soon as they get to the screen. So we're looking at that, and keeping an open mind.” About whether this is something we can benefit from Premier League“.
