- Dominic Solanke thought he had given Tottenham the advantage against Liverpool
- However, his goal was disallowed due to the striker’s offside.
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Stuart Attwell became the first referee to announce a VAR decision live inside a stadium in England during Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.
Dominic Solanke thought he had put the hosts ahead in the 76th minute when he latched onto a pass from Pedro Porro before slotting past Alisson.
However, after a lengthy VAR review, it was determined that Solanke was ahead of Liverpool’s deepest defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the goal was therefore disallowed.
And, in further in-stadium evidence of VAR announcements for both Carabao Cup semi-finals, Attwell later revealed to the crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the reason why the goal was disallowed.
The referee blew his whistle and added: “After a review, Dominic Solanke was in an offside position,” as his words echoed through the pitch inside the field.
There was a predictable level of frustration from the home fans as boos were heard after the explanation.
Stuart Attwell became the first referee to announce a VAR decision live inside a stadium
Dominic Solanke thought he had given Spurs the lead but was ruled offside.
As part of a trial, Attwell subsequently blew his whistle before explaining why he was not allowed.
Last month it was announced that the test would be contested in both legs of the semi-finals, with Arsenal taking on Newcastle during the first leg of the other final four clash on Tuesday night.
The Magpies won the match 2-0 to surprise the Gunners at the Emirates, but no decisions were referred to VAR, meaning referee John Brooks did not have to announce any of his decisions inside the stadium.
Attwell will be remembered for achieving a first in English football, with the EFL revealing before ties that referees would have to announce the final VAR decision after visiting the pitchside monitor or upon concluding factual matters as part of the judgment.
A full statement from the EFL explaining what would happen said: “VAR will be available for this season’s Carabao Cup semi-finals, along with the first use of VAR advertisements in stadiums in English football.
‘As part of the trial, the referees will announce (via the stadium’s public address system) the final decision after a visit to the VAR monitor on the pitch, or following the conclusion of factual issues such as an accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside rulings. Only the final decision will be announced at the stadium.
“VAR announcements in stadiums have already been successfully introduced at several FIFA events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and aim to provide greater clarity and understanding around key decisions to fans in the stadiums and those watching from home.
‘The new pilot forms part of PGMOL’s wider commitment to transparency and the adoption of technological advances for the benefit of match officials and fans. This latest pilot is supported by the EFL and follows a previous collaboration with PGMOL in 2018 to trial VAR in EFL competitions ahead of its introduction in the Premier League.
“The test will take place over both legs of the Arsenal-Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur-Liverpool semi-finals, with the first legs taking place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 7 January and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday 8 January.”
Spurs won the clash 1-0 thanks to Lucas Bergvall’s late goal, which came after good work from Solanke.
The second leg of the tie will take place at Anfield on Thursday 6 February.