The excitement is palpable as the video referee (VAR) makes its long-awaited appearance in this year’s Carabao Cup semi-finals. This prestigious tournament will not only implement VAR, but it will also test a revolutionary initiative: in-stadium announcements to clarify VAR decisions directly to fans.
This innovative approach aims to improve the fan experience, both inside the stadium and for those watching from home. But how exactly will this new system work?
Traditionally, referees have relied on hand signals after reviewing calls on the field monitor, simply indicating whether a call has been overturned. Although fans are accustomed to seeing explanations on the big screen or hearing them over the PA system, this week’s matches will take transparency to a new level.
During the semi-finals, the referees will actively communicate their verdicts to the crowd. A statement from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said: “Referees will announce the final decision after consulting the VAR monitor, particularly for decisive situations such as an unintentional handball from a scorer or offside infringements. -play involving the attacker.”
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This exciting pilot program will be rolled out across both legs of the semi-finals, starting with Arsenal hosting Newcastle at the Emirates on Tuesday, followed by Tottenham taking on Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday. The return matches are scheduled for early February.
Leading Arsenal against Newcastle, the referee will be John Brooks, while Stuart Attwell will headline the Tottenham encounter. This new protocol has been on the radar since April when PGMOL head Howard Webb revealed the Premier League was considering in-stadium announcements to clarify VAR decisions.
Although the trial originated during Premier League discussions in April, it has already been tested during pre-season matches in Spain. Unfortunately, it was not given the green light for wider implementation at that time.
It should be noted that this is not the first time that top-flight football has used in-stadium announcements. The system has been tested at events like the 2023 Women’s World Cup, showing its potential effectiveness.
In fact, in-stadium communication is already common practice in other sports, such as rugby and cricket, and is a standard in various American sports. Some sports go even further by equipping referees with microphones, allowing them to share information with the crowd throughout the match.
As the Carabao Cup semi-finals approach, fans are looking forward to not only the matches, but also the clarity and engagement that this new VAR communications initiative promises to deliver.
