Referees will announce the outcome of a VAR review in next month’s Carabao Cup semi-final at the stadium – a first in English football.
Decisions reviewed by the referee on a pitchside monitor, or matters of fact such as an accidental handball by the scorer or an offside call, will be announced to the audience to aid clarity and understanding.
Stadium announcements are common in the NFL and rugby union, but have not previously been used in English football. The system was trialled during last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“The new pilot is part of PGMOL’s wider commitment to transparency and embracing technological advances for the benefit of match officials and fans,” the EFL said in a statement.
“This latest pilot has the support of the EFL and follows an earlier collaboration with PGMOL in 2018 to trial VAR in EFL competitions ahead of its introduction in the Premier League.”
Arsenal will play Newcastle over two legs in the first semi-final, with the first leg being played on January 7. Tottenham will play Liverpool in the second semi-final, with the first leg being against Spurs on January 8.
