Never-before-seen moment in English football as referee speaks to crowd to confirm why Spurs goal ruled out vs Liverpool

TOTTENHAM’S clash with Liverpool made unexpected history – as for the first time ever a referee explained to the crowd why a goal had been ruled out.

Stuart Attwell used the PA system to announce Dominic Solanke’s Carabao Cup semi-final opener for Spurs was offside.

GettyFans waited for the VAR verdict over Dominic Solanke’s striker, then heard referee Stuart Attwell explain the decision[/caption]

🔊The first ever in-stadium VAR decision announcement has just been made in English football

❌Referee Stuart Attwell confirming Dominic Solanke’s goal for Tottenham vs Liverpool was offside

Still 0-0 in this @EFL Cup semi-final first leg #THFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/kV2S65Pcmo

— Neil Barker (@Mockneyrebel) January 8, 2025

Stuart Attwell became the first ref to explain a disallowed goal directly to the crowd

AlamySolanke briefly thought he had put Spurs in front[/caption]

First, VAR reviewed the striker’s finish after he sped through to slot home a long through-ball from Pedro Porro.

Then Attwell said to the stadium: “After a review Dominic Solanke was in an offside position.”

The same striker late helped tee up Lucas Bergvall’s 86th-minute, first-leg winner for Tottenham.

And Liverpool were fuming at that because Bergvall had just escaped a second yellow card for a foul on Kostas Tsimikas.

The dramatic contest will mainly be remembered for Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur being taken to hospital after landing horrifically.

Attwell’s PA announcement was the result of the trial.

And many fans seem to reckon the intervention was an excellent innovation if VAR is to stay.

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