VAR will remain in English matches despite calls to scrap it, but supporters have until the start of 2024. The technology will not be used extensively in this weekend’s FA Cup third round and will now not be used in either of the two Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Why is there no VAR in the Carabao Cup semi-finals? Since 2018/2019, the VAR system has been used in all Carabao Cup semi-finals as well as the final. Stages 1 to 5 do not exist.No changes are expected this time around as Middlesbrough take on Chelsea and Liverpool take on Fulham in the first leg of their semi-finals this week. However, the EFL later decided not to use the technology for future matches because Middlesbrough’s home ground, Riverside, does not have the technology to operate the VAR system.”The system will not be installed at any of the clubs participating in the semi-finals and to maintain fairness and consistency, VAR technology will not be used in this season’s Carabao Cup semi-finals,” the EFL said in a statement.
“This is consistent with previous rounds of the competition this season where VAR was only available in some regions.”The decision was made in the third round of the FA Cup, where VAR was used in every stadium in the Premier League, but not elsewhere. As a result, many questions have been raised about potential imbalances, with some teams benefiting from the technology while others do not.
VAR will be activated for the 2023/24 Carabao Cup final, regardless of who advances, as Wembley has already installed the technology. 2023/24 Carabao Cup semi-finals
I’m happy! I’m happy! VAR abuse doesn’t dominate midweek football headlines. No big Premier League match is complete without pundits, commentators and expert Twitter users (are they ‘X-men’ now?) putting in their two cents to discuss it. It’s just boring because such talk undermines the game itself.
Start Date/Time (GMT) 24.01.09 / 20:00 the first Middlesbrough and Chelsea 24.10.2010 / 20:00 the first Liverpool – Fulham 23.01.24 / 20:00 second Chelsea and Middlesbrough 24.01.24 / 20:00 second Fulham – Liverpool
