VAR will NOT be used in the third or fourth round of the FA Cup this season - as FA make major change in attempt to ensure there is a 'consistent refereeing approach for all clubs'
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VAR will only be in action in the FA Cup from the fifth round onwards this season in a major change in direction from the FA. The technology has been used in the FA Cup since 2018, with it initially trialled in the competition, before being introduced in the Premier League from the 2019-20 campaign.
![[It has been used in the competition at Premier League grounds and at Wembley in recent years]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93200535-14198337-image-a-2_1734367020679.jpg)
Since then, it has been commonplace for VAR to be used for FA Cup games at Premier League grounds and at Wembley, but not others. This has attracted controversy, with the technology not used if a Premier League team was playing away at a Championship side for example.
![[But it will now be used at all grounds from the fifth round, whatever division the hosts are in]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93200541-14198337-image-a-5_1734367408605.jpg)
Some have argued that the use of VAR only in certain games in the competition is an unfair situation for clubs involved. And, in an adaption for this season, VAR will be used from the fifth round onwards. VAR will only be used in the FA Cup from the fifth round onwards this season in a major change.
![[The FA say this is to 'ensure that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93200517-14198337-image-a-3_1734367108038.jpg)
It has been used in the competition at Premier League grounds and at Wembley in recent years. But it will now be used at all grounds from the fifth round, whatever division the hosts are in. However, the technology will be in action at all grounds, whether they are Premier League or not, with the FA claiming this is done to ensure that there is a 'consistent refereeing approach for all clubs' in the competition.
In a statement, they said: 'Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 FA Cup from the fifth round onwards. 'It has been agreed that VAR will be utilised for every match in the fifth round of the competition through to the final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the third and fourth rounds.
