Newcastle United’s kit to make Carabao Cup history as VAR rules explained vs Bradford City

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Newcastle United will make Carabao Cup history against Bradford but will not have VAR to lean on in their third-round clash. 

Eddie Howe’s side, of course, won the Carabao Cup back in March to end a 70-year wait for a major domestic honour. 

This has been a competition Newcastle United have enjoyed playing in over the last few seasons. Even before winning it, they reached the 2023 final but eventually lost to Manchester United at Wembley. 

It would be fantastic to see them go on another cup journey, even if their Premier League and Champions League campaigns are higher on the list of priorities.

While they cannot rely on what they have done in previous editions of this tournament, last season’s success will be reflected when they take to the field at St James’ Park. 

• READ MORE: Newcastle vs Bradford – Carabao Cup prediction, kick-off time, TV channel, live stream and team news

Newcastle United wear new Carabao Cup sleeve badge

Back in August, the club confirmed they would wear a commemorative sleeve badge when playing in the Carabao Cup this season.

All previous winners of the competition will have the chance to wear one as the English Football League (EFL) celebrates 65 years of the tournament. 

The green badges on the team’s shirts will include a reference to the number of times each club has won the competition.

Howe’s side will also wear the first Carabao Cup gold badge in the tournament’s history after winning it last season. 

A statement posted on Newcastle United’s official website read: “Newcastle United will also wear the very first Carabao Cup gold badge featuring the number one to mark their victory in the 2024/25 Carabao Cup, which was the club’s first in the competition and first domestic trophy in 70 years.”

Is VAR being used in Newcastle United vs Bradford City?

The use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has been arguably the biggest change in football since the back pass rule was introduced in 1992. 

Newcastle fans would have been lamenting how VAR is used on Sunday after Nick Woltemade was denied a penalty away at Bournemouth. 

Those frustrations will not emerge on Wednesday, however, as VAR is not in use during the Carabao Cup third-round.

With a number of teams outside of the Premier League at this stage of the competition, the technology will not have been installed at various grounds.

As such, it will not be used until later in the tournament.