The FA Cup third round begins this evening, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will not be in use. The Football Association has confirmed that VAR will be absent for the third and fourth rounds of the competition, returning only from the fifth round onwards.
The decision is intended to ensure a consistent refereeing approach across all matches. In previous seasons, VAR was only used at Premier League stadiums, creating a 'two-tier' system where decisions could be reviewed at some grounds but not others. By removing VAR for the early rounds, the FA aims to provide a uniform experience for all 64 teams, regardless of venue.
From the fifth round, VAR will be operational for every FA Cup tie. Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) will also be active from that stage, but only at matches held in Premier League stadiums due to infrastructure requirements.
Goal-line technology (GLT), however, remains in place from the third round onwards for all fixtures hosted by Premier League and EFL Championship clubs. The FA confirmed these arrangements in a statement on Friday, noting that the same policy applied last season.
While some may lament the absence of VAR, purists may welcome a return to traditional refereeing without lengthy delays. As the third round unfolds, managers and players will rely on the referee's whistle in the oldest cup competition.
