The 2024/25 League 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.
The experiment will be done across both legs of two eagerly anticipated ties – Arsenal versus Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool.
The initiative is part of the Professional Game Match Officials Board’s (PGMOL) drive for transparency. They hope to demystify key decisions for fans in attendance and at home.
“Referees will announce 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 offences where the attacker touches the ball,” explained a PGMOL statement.
The concept of referee announcements was first showcased at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where officials’ explanations provided spectators with real-time insights.
Similar trials have been conducted at FIFA tournaments, including the Club World Cup in Morocco and the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.
However, the journey to adoption in English football has been deliberate. Pre-season trials in Spain earlier this year highlighted potential challenges, but the PGMOL’s commitment to refining the system has remained steadfast.
The Premier League’s initial flirtation with in-stadium announcements began during its shareholder meeting earlier this year but failed to gain the necessary approval for immediate roll-out.
However, PGMOL chief Howard Webb and his team have pressed forward, ensuring referees are well-prepared for this month’s high-stakes League Cup experiment.
Fans can expect this trial to act as a litmus test for broader implementation across English football.
Whether it becomes a permanent fixture in the Premier League is unknown, but the initiative signals a promising shift towards a more inclusive and informed matchday experience.
