Is VAR in use for FA Cup fifth round ties?

THE FA Cup is heading towards the business end – and there are some huge names eyeing glory.

Premier League giants Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Manchester City and Chelsea are all taking part in the fifth round.

The use of VAR has been a controversial topic in the FA Cup this seasonTimes Media Ltd

Non-league Maidstone had their fairytale FA Cup run ended by Championship high flyers Coventry after Mark Robin’s men booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 5-0 win.

Fellow second-tier sides Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City are both in action in the fifth round as they test themselves against Premier League opposition.

But fans are confused if VAR will be in use for FA Cup fifth round ties.

Is VAR in use for FA Cup fifth round ties?

VAR will only be in use at Premier League grounds for FA Cup fifth round ties due to licencing rules.

The prestigious competition has used VAR since 2018, when it was used in a trial format.

However, it has only been used at Premier League grounds as the FA has never applied to the International Football Association Board (Ifab) for full use across all fixtures.

It would be complicated and expensive to install VAR at some EFL and non-league league grounds, meaning it wouldn’t be a worthy investment for a one off tie.

The FA has been criticised for creating an imbalance in sporting standards in the competition.

Responding to criticism last year, the FA said: “Video assistant referees provide match officials with additional support and should be utilised wherever possible.

“However, only Premier League stadiums are currently licensed to use VAR due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required.”

Which FA Cup fifth round ties will have VAR in use?

With just Premier League grounds allowed to use VAR, Bournemouth, Luton, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Wolves and Liverpool will all have it in use for their FA Cup fifth round ties.

But the two games hosted by Championship sides – Coventry 5-0 Maidstone and Blackburn vs Newcastle will not have the technology enabled.

Will there be replays for the FA Cup fifth round?

FA Cup replays have become a huge part of English football’s most famous cup competition.

And there have been extensive changes in recent years regarding whether they are included.

In the 2020-21 and the 2021-22 seasons, all replays were scrapped due to fixture congestion.

But they were brought back for the third and fourth rounds of the 2022-23 campaign.

In the 2023-24 season, there were also replays for the third and fourth rounds.

However, from the fifth round onwards, there will be no replays and matches that end in a draw will be settled on the night.