Historic VAR decision made for Carabao Cup semi-finals | OneFootball

For the first time in English football history, referees will announce VAR decisions via the stadium's public address system during a match, with the historic development set to be trialled across the upcoming Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Arsenal host Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on 7 January while Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur the following day for the first legs of the final four. The reverse fixtures will be held in the first week of February and all four ties will be subjected to a new evolution of video assistant refereeing.

Following on from initiatives adopted by other competitions, the Carabao Cup semi-final referees will be able to directly communicate the decisions they make in conjunction with VAR to fans in the stadium - and thereby, those watching on TV with the sound on.

A statement from Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) - English football's refereeing body - revealed that the PA system would be utilised each time the referee is ushered across to the pitch-side monitor or "the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside offences where the attacker touches the ball".

It will be a new experience for English football fans to hear the voice of referees during games / Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages

PGMOL described this measure as a "part of our broader commitment to transparency including providing greater clarity and understanding around key decisions".

A follow-up statement from the English Football League (EFL), the governing body which runs the Carabao Cup, stressed that "only the final decision will be announced in the stadium", rather than an explanation behind the call.

PGMOL referees chief Howard Webb has made an active effort to remove the veil of mystique which often looms over officiating decisions, leaving a void which is invariably filled by conspiracy theories. This drive for transparency has taken the form of Match Officials Mic'd Up - a bi-monthly show in which the former World Cup final referee reviews the most contentious decisions in England's top flight - and the in-game explanations from the Premier League Match Centre X account.

During an episode of Mic'd Up last April, Webb teased this announcements update. "We're looking at ways to improve the in-stadium experience," the ex-Premier League official said.

"One of the things you'll have seen maybe in FIFA tournaments, like the Women's World Cup, is announcements from the referee once they've been to the screen. So we're looking at that, we're keeping an open mind about whether that's something we could utilise in the Premier League."