Wrexham vs Chelsea FA Cup fifth round, VAR, extra time and replay rules explained | OneFootball

Wrexham host Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round at Racecourse Ground on Saturday, 7 March, kick-off 5:45pm. According to Wales Online, here are the key rules and broadcast details.

VAR will be in operation, assisting the referee with clear and obvious errors. The system is used across all fifth-round fixtures.

If it is level after 90 minutes, there will be 30 minutes of extra time. A penalty shootout will follow if required.

Replays were scrapped from the first round proper in 2024/25, so the tie will be settled on the night.

Managers may name nine substitutes and make up to five changes in three opportunities. Half-time does not count, and an extra substitution is allowed in extra time.

A trial law for 2025/26 limits goalkeepers to holding the ball for a maximum of eight seconds. Exceeding the limit results in a corner to the opposition, with officials giving a visible hand-signal countdown for the final five seconds.

In the UK, the match will be shown live on TNT Sports 2 and BBC One, with coverage beginning before the 5:45pm start. TNT subscribers can stream via the discovery+ app.

Team news, Wrexham's Ben Sheaf is out for the rest of the season with a medial ligament injury sustained against Ipswich. For Chelsea, Marc Cucurella could return, with Romeo Lavia and Reece James in contention. Levi Colwill and Mykhaylo Mudryk are unavailable.

Source: Wales Online