Why There Will Be No VAR In Carabao Cup Semifinals – EFL 

VAR will not be in use across the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with Middlesbrough’s involvement leading to the decision to level the playing field.

The two-leg semi-final matchups between Chelsea and Boro and Liverpool and Fulham will not use technology in either of the games, according to an announcement made by the EFL.

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Liverpool hosts Fulham in their first meeting on Wednesday, while Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues travel to the Championship team on Tuesday night for their opening leg.

The EFL have made the call not to use the technology in each game of the two-legged semi-finals between Chelsea and Boro, and Liverpool and Fulham.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues visit the Championship side in their first leg on Tuesday night, while Liverpool host Fulham on Wednesday in the first of their encounters.

Speaking to The Telegraph, a spokesperson for the EFL said: “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.

“However, VAR will be used for the final regardless of who is playing in it as the technology is already installed at Wembley.”

The FA Cup’s ongoing use of video assistant refereeing (VAR) has generated controversy; while it has been used at Premier League stadiums, lower-league teams have not benefited from reviewed judgements when playing at home in the third round this past weekend.

Pochettino is hoping to win his first trophy in English football, and Chelsea is a heavy favourite to get to the final over two legs. In an attempt to set up a rematch of the 2022 championship, which the Reds won on penalties, Liverpool will be confident in supporting them as they get ready to play Fulham.