Tonight’s Carabao Cup game at Goodison Park will see the use of a video assistant referee (VAR) in an Everton match for the first time.

VAR is being used as part of the English Football League’s commitment to trial the technology this season.

Three other Carabao Cup second round matches are also part of the trial.

What Does It Mean?
Video officials based remotely at Professional Game Match Officials Ltd HQ in Stockley Park will assist the match referee for ONLY four match-changing situations: goals, penalty decisions, the awarding of direct red cards and mistaken player identity. 

How Does It Work?
Video officials will check incidents in the four match-changing situations. Most of these checks will go unnoticed as they will take place in the background whilst the game is continuing. If a check shows a clear and obvious error may have taken place, a review will follow.

The review process, which can be requested by the referee or recommended by the VAR, takes two forms. 

Firstly, the VAR can inform the referee there is a factual error on a clear situation which does not require the referee to review the video. For example, the player who scored a goal was in an offside position. You will then see the referee making the ‘TV screen’ signal and he can then change the original decision, disallowing the goal and penalising the offside offence. 

In situations that are less clear, the VAR will advise the referee to look at the video. This is called an On-Field Review. You will see the referee move to the side of the pitch to review the footage on a monitor before making the final decision. Following a review, the referee will make a ‘TV screen’ signal and communicate the final decision. This may either confirm or change the original decision.  

Where Will The Match Referee Review Video?
The review screen is set up on the side of the pitch on the Bullens Road side of Goodison, near to the halfway line.

How Will Fans Know What’s Going On?
The team at VAR HQ will provide updates via a direct link to Goodison’s big screens to indicate when a VAR check is taking place, what it is for and when it is completed, as well as the outcome.

Will Future Everton Carabao Cup Games Have VAR If We Progress?
As this is an experiment, a decision will be made by the EFL and PGMOL on a round-by-round basis.