The Carabao Cup semi-final games will be played without the use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology, over both legs.
This decision resulted from the fact that the Championship club, Middlesbrough, lacks the necessary technology to operate VAR at their Riverside Stadium. Despite the potential benefit of the VAR system in three out of the four games, the English Football League (EFL) deemed it an act of fairness to exclude the technology throughout the tournament, promoting a level playing field.
Middlesbrough is set to face off against Chelsea in the first leg of their semi-final at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night. Meanwhile in the second semi-final, Fulham and Liverpool will lock horns in an all-Premier League encounter.
VAR has also been missing from some matches in the FA Cup, which has sparked controversy as VAR was operational solely at Premier League venues, leading to discrepancies in decision-making. Intriguingly, numerous fans found the non-VAR matches more appealing, particularly in high-stakes matches like the derby between Sunderland and Newcastle.
The EFL diverged from the Football Association’s stance and opted to rule out VAR in all games, a fair move to avoid singling out the one game without the technology. Despite the absence of VAR, Chelsea, who triumphed over Newcastle on penalties in the quarter-final, is a towering favourite to prevail and progress to the final.
In a recent clash against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Middlesbrough lost by a narrow margin from a deflected goal by Matty Cash.
In the first leg of their semi-final, Middlesbrough will host Chelsea at the Riverside on Tuesday, January 9, with the return leg scheduled for Tuesday, January 23.
Meanwhile, the second semi-final between Liverpool and Fulham is booked for Anfield on Wednesday, January 10, followed by the closing leg at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, January 24.
