The league organization EFL (English football league) states that the test aims to increase transparency around the video referee system and increase understanding of the decisions.
Even when the main referee looks at a TV screen beside the pitch, the decision will be explained, and this also applies when, for example, there has been suspected handball by a goal scorer or suspected offside before a goal.
In English football, this is the first time VAR decisions are communicated by the referee through the arena's loudspeaker system, but it has previously been tested during, among other things, the 2023 Women's World Championship and the 2022 Club World Championship in Morocco.
The semifinals in the league cup are decided over two legs. The first match between Arsenal and Newcastle is played on January 7, and on January 8, Tottenham faces Liverpool. The return matches are played at the beginning of February.
