Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Fulham, and Liverpool Affected by EFL’s Significant Decision
The upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final matches this week will be conducted without VAR, as decided by the EFL to ensure fairness. Middlesbrough is set to face Chelsea at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday, followed by Fulham’s visit to Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The absence of VAR at the Riverside, typical for a Championship venue like Middlesbrough’s, has led to the decision to deactivate the technology for all four legs of the semi-finals. Although VAR could have been implemented in three out of the four matches (at Anfield, Stamford Bridge, and Craven Cottage), the EFL deemed it unfair to selectively use it.
According to a spokesperson speaking to Telegraph Sport, “There will be no VAR used in the semi-finals because it was not possible for the technology to be used at Middlesbrough. It was decided it was fairer to not use it in any of the four semi-final games as a result. The FA took a different approach (in the FA Cup) but we felt this was the way to go. If it couldn’t be used in one of the games it won’t be used in any of the four semi-final legs.”
The EFL’s website further stated, “Given the system is not installed at one of the participating semi-finalist Clubs and to maintain fairness and consistency, VAR technology will not be used in the Carabao Cup semi-final stage this season. This is in line with previous rounds of this season’s competition when at some grounds, but not all, VAR has been available.”
However, the EFL confirmed that VAR would be reinstated for the final at Wembley Stadium on February 25. In the semi-finals, Chelsea seems favored against Middlesbrough, currently placed 12th in the Championship, while Fulham enters as underdogs against an in-form Liverpool team in an all-Premier League clash.
