The EFL confirmed that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be in operation for the four Semi-Finals and Wembley Final in this year’s League Cup.
During Villa’s two-legged semi-final with Leicester City, VAR, ala in the Premier League, will only be used for the four ‘game-changing’ situations of goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity (roughly translated, that means Villa will have at least one goal chalked off for a straying armpit or a non-existent foul on the Foxes’ keeper).
It also mentions that “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”.
Well, based on MOMS experience on a number occasions, that translates to being left in limbo or receiving zero communication in-stadia. Hopefully, they’ll be a smoother VAR communication process on the night of the cup games, then that.
The statement confirms VAR’s usage as:
Based remotely at Stockley Park, VAR will assist the referee in ONLY four match changing situations:
· Goals
· Penalty/no penalty decisions
· Direct red cards shown or not shown (second yellow cards are not able to be reviewed)
· Mistaken identity
Confirmed Carabao Cup Semi-Final fixtures:
| Tuesday 7 January | Manchester United v Manchester City | 20.00 |
| Wednesday 8 January | Leicester City v Aston Villa | 20.00 |
| Tuesday 28 January | Aston Villa v Leicester City | 19.45 |
| Wednesday 29 January | Manchester City v Manchester United | 19.45 |
