Since May 2024, FIFA have been trialing a new video review system that will support referees during competitions with fewer cameras and resources known as Football Video Support (FVS). Each manager will be given two cards, one blue and one purple, and can only be used by managers or a senior team official, in the event of an absent manager. Altogether, a total of 200 matches have already been played using FVS across the Serie C, U17 Women’s World Cup and the Women’s Serie A.
HOW DOES FVS WORK?
This tool is designed to offer assistance during games with less camera coverage as serious incidents may be missed. If this is the case, a manager can request a review by gaining the attention of the fourth official and handing them their request card. Each manager can make two review requests, one in each half. If a request is made, reviewed but not overturned, then they lose the ability to make other requests in that half. On the other hand, if the decision goes in favour of the manager, then they can keep that card. It is important to note that requests can only be made immediately after the incident has occurred.
To uphold the integrity of football, FIFA assures that the system is:
“used only in the event of a possible clear and obvious error, or serious missed incident in relation to the following scenarios, such as goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty or direct red cards (not second cautions).”
This is to eliminate the possibility of minor incidents being penalised unnecessarily.
Although FVS is a support tool, Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, explains that it should not be used as a replacement for VAR as it does not involve every incident being monitored by match officials.
HOW COULD THIS IMPACT THE GAME?
Football Video Support is still in the early stages of testing. However, The International Football Association Board (IFAB) are encouraged by the results of the initial research. Considering that FVS does not require a multi-camera set up or a larger team of match officials, it makes this initiative cost-effective. This could have a positive impact on leagues that have considerably less monetary investment. For example, the Women’s Super League usually operates in smaller grounds with less camera coverage. Therefore, a lower cost system could benefit them to ensure that crucial challenges do not go unnoticed.
At the same time, while FVS may be an asset to referees, it threatens to cause delays that could otherwise have been avoided. For instance, managers always want what is best for their team as well as getting a positive result as often as possible. With that being said, if even the slightest challenge is made, managers may want it looked at just in case there is a possibility that it could lead to them getting some sort of disciplinary action given by the referee. Those are some outcomes that a manager would be hoping for when asking for a review. If incidences are minor, the constant pausing of the game would make it less enjoyable for both players and spectators due to the lack of fluid play.
Overall, Football Video Support offers many benefits when it comes to referee decision making, such as streamlining the decision-making process and allowing for a more efficient review process. This makes it cost-effective as it limits the resources needed for a full VAR set up. Although FVS has some drawbacks, they do not outweigh the positives and should not have bearing on whether or not it is rolled out further. However, at this moment IFAB are yet to decide if the trials will be extended.
