The VAR technology will be used in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and final, the English Football League officially confirmed. The Video Assistant Referee was used in the Carabao and FA Cup in the 2018/19 season but has only been used at Premier League stadiums since.
VAR can be used in four situations
The technology will be used remotely by the referees and will assist the referee in four match-changing situations: penalty decisions, goals, straight red cards, and mistaken identity.
“Video Assistant Referee will be in operation for the four semi-finals and Wembley final in this year’s Carabao Cup. Fans in the stadium will be kept abreast of in-game developments with the same notification process and protocols put in place for supporters as has been used throughout the 2019-20 Premier League season,” the EFL said in a statement.
VAR has been subject to many discussions, being introduced to the Premier League this season. There is criticism regarding the amount of time lost to check situations, marginal offside decisions, and, of course, killing part of the emotion of the game.
All four last survivors in the Carabao Cup are from the Premier League, which made the decision easier. Its ultimate goal, after all, is to cancel out referee mistakes.
In the semi-finals, Manchester United host Manchester City on Tuesday evening. Leicester face Aston Villa at home on Wednesday, and the second legs will be played on January 28 and 29 respectively.
