The Carabao Cup will next week provide English football with its first taste of video assistant referees being used in multiple matches at the same time.
The English Football League announced this summer that the VAR system could be used at all Carabao Cup fixtures played at a Premier League stadium during the 2018-19 season.
The competition organisers have now confirmed the technology will be used in four second-round matches, beginning with three fixtures on Tuesday.
Brighton versus Southampton, Fulham against Exeter and Leicester’s home clash with Fleetwood will all have the technology available on August 28, with Stuart Attwell, Michael Oliver and Jon Moss acting as VARs respectively.
Kevin Friend will then be the VAR for Everton’s home match against Rotherham the following night.
The EFL said: ‘Three matches taking place on Tuesday 28 August will utilise VAR – the first time that the technology will feature in multiple matches at the same time in this country – as the EFL continues its commitment to support English football’s contribution to the live trial currently taking place.’
VAR was implemented reasonably successfully during the World Cup, but in the build-up to the tournament Premier League clubs voted to delay the technology’s use.
A statement in April read: ‘Premier League clubs have today agreed to continue advanced testing of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) throughout season 2018/19.
‘The decision came after comprehensive discussions regarding the progress made in VAR trials in English football, and key learnings from the many competitions using it elsewhere.
‘The clubs recognised and are grateful for the substantial developments made by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) managing director Mike Riley and his team.’
VAR technology will again be used in selected FA Cup fixtures from the third round onwards, as it was last season. The system was also used in this month’s Community Shield.
