Chelsea, Fulham and Liverpool to be impacted by huge change confirmed by EFL

This week's Carabao Cup semi-final fixtures will take place with no VAR in operation for 'fairness', the EFL has decided. Middlesbrough play Chelsea at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday before Fulham travel to Liverpool on Wednesday night.

There is no VAR installed at the Riverside due to Middlesbrough playing in the Championship and, for that reason, the technology will be turned off for all four of the semi-final legs. VAR could have been used in three of the four matches - at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage - but the EFL has ruled that would be unfair.

The decision goes against the decision taken for the FA Cup this season where the technology is used wherever possible. For instance, it was in action for West Ham's clash with Bristol City at the London Stadium on Sunday but won't be available in the replay at Ashton Gate next week.

A spokesman told Telegraph Sport: “There will be no VAR used in the semi-finals because it was not possible for the technology to be used at Middlesbrough. It was decided it was fairer to not use it in any of the four semi-final games as a result. The FA took a different approach (in the FA Cup) but we felt this was the way to go. If it couldn’t be used in one of the games it won’t be used in any of the four semi-final legs.

A statement on the EFL website added: “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. This is in line with previous rounds of this season’s competition when at some grounds, but not all, VAR has been available.”

The EFL did confirm that VAR would return for the final at Wembley Stadium on February 25. Chelsea will be favourites to reach Wembley with their draw against 12th placed Championship side Middlesbrough, as Mauricio Pochettino chases his first trophy as Blues boss. Meanwhile, Fulham will be the underdogs against in-form Liverpool in an all-Premier League semi-final.