The FA Cup has long been a staple of English football, and its use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) since the 2017/18 season has been a hot topic. However, for the 2024/25 FA Cup third round, VAR has been notably omitted, sparking discussions across the football community.
Why Is VAR Not Being Used in the FA Cup Third Round?
For the 2024/25 FA Cup, the Football Association (FA) has made key changes to the implementation of VAR technology. Unlike previous seasons, where VAR was selectively used in the third and fourth rounds at Premier League venues, it will now only be introduced from the fifth round onwards.
This shift ensures a level playing field, as the selective application of VAR in earlier rounds previously led to inconsistency. Matches held at Premier League stadiums had the benefit of VAR, while those at lower-tier grounds did not, creating a disparity in officiating standards.
The FA’s Official Statement on the VAR Policy
The FA clarified their decision in an official statement:
- It has been agreed that VAR will be utilised for every match in the Fifth Round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the Third and Fourth Rounds.
- VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation.
- This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition.”
- By reserving VAR for later rounds, the FA aims to create a fairer competition framework, ensuring consistency across all matches.
When Will VAR Be Used in the FA Cup?
Starting from the fifth round of the 2024/25 FA Cup, VAR will be employed across all fixtures, regardless of the venue. This change guarantees uniformity in officiating decisions for the tournament’s critical stages, culminating in the Final at Wembley Stadium.
How VAR Works in Football
VAR operates to assist referees in avoiding “clear and obvious errors” across specific situations. Its intervention is limited to four key scenarios:
- Goals: Reviewing whether a goal should or should not stand.
- Penalties: Confirming the correctness of penalty decisions.
- Red Cards: Evaluating incidents involving direct red card offenses (not second yellow cards).
- Mistaken Identity: Correcting errors where the referee penalizes the wrong player.
During a match, the on-field referee remains the primary decision-maker. VAR can recommend a review if it detects a possible error, prompting the referee to consult the pitch-side monitor and make a final decision.
Why These Changes Matter
By eliminating VAR from the FA Cup’s third and fourth rounds, the FA addresses concerns about unequal treatment of teams. Clubs competing in lower divisions or at non-Premier League venues now face the same refereeing conditions as their top-tier counterparts, ensuring fairness in these early knockout stages.
As the debate around VAR continues, these adjustments reflect the FA’s commitment to balancing technological benefits with the traditional essence of the FA Cup, a competition revered for its unpredictability and inclusivity.