For the first time in English football, fans inside a stadium heard directly from a referee during a match. On Wednesday night, Stuart Attwell spoke to the crowd to explain why Dominic Solanke’s goal was ruled out in the League Cup semi-final first leg between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Solanke seemed to have scored in the second half after receiving a through ball, but VAR ruled him offside. After the review, Attwell used his microphone to announce the decision to the fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“After reviewing, Dominic Solanke was found to be in an offside position during the build-up to the goal,” Attwell explained.
This marked the first time a referee provided a public explanation of a VAR decision in English football.
The trial was introduced during the semi-finals. A similar system was in place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday for Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle United, although it wasn’t used in that match.
The EFL later clarified the offside decision on social media, stating: “Solanke’s goal was initially awarded on-field, but VAR reviewed and confirmed he was offside, advising that the goal be disallowed.”
