Referee Stuart Attwell makes FIRST EVER in-stadium VAR announcement during Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool - as official reveals why Dominic Solanke's goal was ruled out
Referee Stuart Attwell makes FIRST EVER in-stadium VAR announcement during Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool - as official reveals why Dominic Solanke's goal was ruled out
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Stuart Attwell became the first referee to announce a VAR decision live inside a stadium in England during Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool. Dominic Solanke had thought he put the hosts ahead in the 76th minute when he capitalised on Pedro Porro's through ball before he slotted past Alisson.
![[Dominic Solanke thought he had given Spurs the lead, but it was ruled that he was offside]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/08/22/93888737-14264617-image-a-45_1736373871159.jpg)
However, after a lengthy VAR review, it was ruled that Solanke was ahead of Liverpool's deepest defender Trent Alexander-Arnold - and therefore the goal was ruled out. And, in a new in-stadium trial of VAR announcements for both semi-finals in the Carabao Cup, Attwell subsequently revealed the reason for the goal being disallowed to the crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
![[As part of a trial, Attwell subsequently blew his whistle before explaining why it was disallowed]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/08/22/93888729-14264617-image-a-46_1736373923824.jpg)
The official blew his whistle, before he added: 'After a review Dominic Solanke was in an offside position,' as his words sounded over the tannoy inside the ground. There was a predictable level of frustration from the home supporters as boos rang out after the explanation.
Stuart Attwell became the first referee to announce a VAR decision live inside a stadium. Dominic Solanke thought he had given Spurs the lead, but it was ruled that he was offside. As part of a trial, Attwell subsequently blew his whistle before explaining why it was disallowed.
It was announced last month that the trial was set run over both legs of the semi-finals - with Arsenal taking on Newcastle during the first leg of the other final four clash on Tuesday night. The Magpies won the match 2-0 to shock the Gunners at the Emirates, yet no decisions were referred to VAR, meaning referee John Brooks did not have to announce any of his decisions inside the stadium.
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