Why is VAR not being used for Carabao Cup semi-finals?

A place at Wembley is on offer as the Carabao Cup last-four ties take centre stage.

After a weekend of FA Cup action, and with the Premier League fixture list easing over the next couple of weeks, the focus shifts to the two-legged semi-final matches in the Carabao Cup.

It began on Tuesday night with Chelsea's lost away at Middlesbrough, before they welcome the Championship side to Stamford Bridge in two weeks' time.

The winner of that tie will face either Liverpool or Fulham in the Carabao Cup final, which will take place at Wembley on February 25.

Jurgen Klopp's side have home advantage first in their all-Premier League clash, hosting Fulham on Wednesday night, and they will hope to be in a strong position in the tie by the time they travel to Craven Cottage.

The away goals rule is not in place for the last-four tie, and VAR will not be in use across any of the matches.

That is due to Middlesbrough not having the technology in place at the Riverside Stadium and so, unlike the FA Cup where VAR was used only at Premier League grounds, it has been decided to remove it for all four matches.

“Given the system is not installed at one of the participating semi-finalist clubs and to maintain fairness and consistency, VAR technology will not be used in the Carabao Cup semi-final stage this season,” the EFL said.

“This is in line with previous rounds of this season’s competition when at some grounds, but not all, VAR has been available. VAR is installed at Wembley Stadium and as per our previous commitment VAR will be used in February’s final.”