Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be active across all eight ties in the fifth round of this season’s FA Cup.
This will include in-stadium VAR announcements where match officials will announce their final decision in relation to reviewed incidents to provide improved clarity and understanding for spectators and viewers.
The FA Cup fifth round will also utilise Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) in all seven matches taking place in Premier League stadiums, which is the first time it will be used live in competitive matches in English football.
The new technology will be introduced in the fifth round of the FA Cup in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024/25 season. Following successful live operation in the FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season.
Semi-Automated Offside Technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.
The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process.
This season’s FA Cup fifth round is set for the weekend of Saturday 1 March, and the match schedule will be confirmed in due course.
