The EFL have confirmed that in-stadium VAR announcements will be used at next month’s Carabao Cup final in a move likely to frustrate Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
The Reds will take on Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday, March 16, with the Dutchman bidding to win his first piece of silverware in English football.
The experiment was trialled for the first time in the semi-finals, and in Liverpool’s first-leg defeat at Tottenham referee Stuart Atwell made an announcement to the crowd after Dominic Solanke had a goal ruled out for offside.
However, the decision to implement the new system later drew criticism from Slot, who claimed it only served to pile more pressure on officials.
“I wonder if we are all going to like this,” he said afterwards. “For me it is not necessary.
“I wonder if it’s a good thing for the referee because he is already under a lot of pressure in every game. I think him explaining would even add more pressure in the next, and the next and the next decision he has to make.”
According to the Mirror, both clubs have been informed of the decision. The Premier League also reportedly have plans to use the announcements in games before the end of the 2024/25 season.
The VAR announcements were trialled at the Club World Cup and the Under-20 World Cup, before being used at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. FIFA also have plans to use them at this summer’s Club World Cup.
However, after Tottenham’s 1-0 win, fans criticised the trial for an apparent lack of consistency. Despite talking through the Solanke offside call, no explanation was given when Lucas Bergvall escaped a second booking shortly before scoring the winner.
The development won’t be welcomed by Slot at a time when he is in hot water with the authorities. He’s been charged by the FA following last week’s Merseyside derby, after being shown a red card by ref Michael Oliver after the final whistle.
His assistant Sipke Hulshoff has also been charged after also being dismissed. If found guilty, both Slot and his No.2 are likely to face touchline bans.
The manager has since voiced his regret at the incident, which followed a melee between both sets of players.
In his press conference on Friday, the ex-Feyenoord manager admitted he “got carried away”, appearing to say something to Oliver after aggressively shaking his hand.
