The use and absence of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology in the FA Cup has led to familiar controversies in England’s flagship cup competition in recent seasons.
Newcastle United fans felt their team might have avoided a shock exit at Championship opponents Sheffield Wednesday in 2022/23 had VAR been used over a suspected offside goal for the Owls during their 2-1 defeat.
By contrast, Manchester United’s 1-0 win at home to Aston Villa in 2022 was helped by a complicated review that led to the visitors being denied an equaliser.
So, is VAR being used in the 2024/25 FA Cup? The Sporting News explains all.
MORE: FA Cup third-round schedule in full | Why scrapping replays has caused controversy
VAR in FA Cup: Is it being used in third-round matches?
In the 2024/25 FA Cup, VAR will only be used from the fifth round onwards. That means it will not be employed in this week’s third-round ties, even at those taking place at Premier League grounds.
In a change from last season, VAR will be used in all matches from the fifth round through to the final, rather than only those staged at top-flight venues. This will ensure consistency across the competition.
In a statement confirming the decision in December 2024, the FA said: “VAR has only been used in the 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.”
When is VAR used?
There are four situations in which VAR can be used during the course of a match. It may assist the referee only when a clear and obvious error or serious missed incident (e.g. offside, handball, foul) occurs in relation to the following:
- Goal/no goal
- Penalty/no penalty
- Direct red card (not a second yellow)
- Case of mistaken identity (when the referee sends off the wrong player)
In all of the above scenarios, VAR can only be used after the match referee has made an initial decision, meaning that the on-pitch official cannot defer directly to VAR instead of making a decision themselves. However, VAR may be used to check that a referee allowing play to continue was correct.
The final decision is always made by the on-field referee, either based on information provided by VAR, or after the referee has carried out a review of the incident in question at the pitchside monitor.
VAR is only allowed to be used in situations where the organiser of a match or competition has received written permission from FIFA and has fulfilled the requirements of FIFA’s Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP).
When was VAR first used in the FA Cup and Premier League?
Premier League clubs voted to introduce VAR from the start of the 2019/20 season following testing behind the scenes.
VAR was first used in a competitive English game on January 8, 2018, when Brighton & Hove Albion beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Amex Stadium in the FA Cup.
It was used again two days later, when Chelsea and Arsenal drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge in a Carabao Cup semifinal first leg.
How to watch the FA Cup 2024/25
The table below details where fans can watch selected matches across some of the world’s major territories.
| TV | Streaming | |
| USA | ESPN | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | Sportsnet |
| UK | BBC, ITV | BBC iPlayer, ITV X |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Sony TEN | JioTV, Sony LIV |
