Having confirmed in the summer that Video Assistant Referees (VAR) is to feature at selected fixtures throughout this season’s Carabao Cup, the EFL has today confirmed that four of next week’s Round Two fixtures will feature the technology.
Three matches taking place on Tuesday 28 August will utilise VAR - the first time that the technology will feature in multiple matches at the same time in this country - as the EFL continues its commitment to support English football’s contribution to the live trial currently taking place.
The VAR trial continues to be overseen by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) with support from stakeholders across the professional game.
Fans in the stadium will be kept abreast of in-game developments with the same notification process put in place for supporters as was used in the recent Community Shield as the video officials, based remotely at Stockley Park, 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
The matches, and the respective officials, are as follows:
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Tuesday 28 August
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Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton
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Referee: Andre Marriner
VAR: Stuart Attwell
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Tuesday 28 August
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Fulham v Exeter City
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Referee: Kevin Friend
VAR: Michael Oliver
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Tuesday 28 August
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Leicester City v Fleetwood Town
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Referee: Lee Mason
VAR: Jon Moss
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Wednesday 29 August
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Everton v Rotherham United
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Referee: Graham Scott
VAR: Kevin Friend
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The emphasis of the experiment is to focus on clear and obvious errors.
In this way, the system aims to minimise any interference with the flow of the game and maximise the advantages of reviewing the video replays. Given the subjective nature of football and a desire to maintain the flow and spectacle of the game, the system is not intended to achieve 100% accuracy in every decision.
The original decision of the referee on the pitch can only be changed if a video review shows a clear and obvious error.
Club and the PGMOL will be responsible for keeping fans at the stadium informed, with messages bearing the following information used as appropriate on screens present at each selected fixture:
· VAR Check in Progress
· VAR Check In Progress – Checking Goal
· VAR Check In Progress – Checking Penalty
· VAR Check In Progress – Checking Red Card
· VAR Check In Progress – Checking Mistaken Identity
· VAR Check Complete
· VAR Check Complete – Original Decision Overturned
VAR will also be used at selected games played at Premier League stadia in future rounds of this season’s competition.
