FA announce major rule change that could impact Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham matches
VAR will not be used in the third or fourth round of the FA Cup, the Football Association has announced. A host of London clubs will be involved in the third round of the FA Cup when the famous competition resumes at the beginning of January.
There are 32 ties scheduled from January 9 to January 13 with Premier League and Championship teams entering the tournament. The draw was made at the beginning of the month and pitted Arsenal against Manchester United in one of the headline ties of the round. Millwall, who will hope to have a new manager in place by then, host Dagenham and Redbridge in the final game of the round.
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Tamworth while Chelsea are at home to Morecambe. West Ham have been handed an all-Premier League tie as they head to Aston Villa while Fulham take on Watford in one of the opening games of the round.
The Football Association has announced a major rule change ahead of the games, with VAR not to be used in any of the third round matches. The video technology will not be introduced until the fifth round to allow for “a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs”. VAR is not available at all stadiums and in the past has only been used in round three if the relevant technology is available.
A statement released by the FA on the decision read: “Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 Emirates 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. VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation. This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition.”
Following being drawn to Man United, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League clash with the Red Devils: “That’s the thing about draws, you can get anybody. We play at home, it’s going to be a big match again and it’s a little bit of the story of the last few seasons that in the third or fourth round we are playing big opponents but we want to do what we have done historically at this club and in the end, you have to beat the big teams to win it. It is what it is. We are excited.”
Third-round FA Cup draw in full
Southampton v Swansea
Arsenal v Manchester United
Exeter v Oxford
Leyton Orient v Derby
Reading v Burnley
Aston Villa v West Ham
Norwich v Brighton
Manchester City v Salford City
Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge
Liverpool v Accrington Stanley
Bristol City v Wolves
Preston v Charlton
Chelsea v Morecambe
Middlesbrough v Blackburn
Bournemouth v West Brom
Mansfield v Wigan Athletic
Tamworth v Tottenham
Hull v Doncaster
Sunderland v Stoke
Leicester v QPR
Brentford v Plymouth
Coventry v Sheffield Wednesday
Newcastle v Bromley
Everton v Peterborough
Wycombe v Portsmouth
Birmingham v Lincoln City
Leeds United v Harrogate
Nottingham Forest v Luton
Sheffield United v Cardiff
Ipswich v Bristol Rovers
Fulham v Watford
Crystal Palace v Stockport
