Football video support
Football video support (FVS) is a system in football designed to help referees correct decisions by reviewing specific incidents upon a coach's request, rather than continuous monitoring by a video assistant referee (VAR). This system was first officially used at the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.
Procedure
[edit]There are four categories of decisions that can be reviewed.
- Goal/no goal – attacking team commits an offence, ball out of play, ball entering goal, offside, handball, offences and encroachment during penalty kicks.
- Penalty/no penalty – attacking team commits an offence, ball out of play, location of offence, incorrect awarding, offence not penalised.
- Direct red card – denial of obvious goal-scoring opportunity, serious foul play, violent conduct/biting/spitting, using offensive/insulting/abusive language or gestures.
- Mistaken identity in awarding a red or yellow card.
Check
[edit]The video support procedure involves several steps:
- Challenge Request: Unlike VAR, where decisions are automatically reviewed by a Video Assistant Referee, VS is only initiated when a coach challenges a decision by presenting a review request card. Coaches are allowed two challenges for the regulation time, with an additional challenge in extra time.
- Review Process: The referee watches the incident on a pitch-side monitor, utilizing various camera angles and speeds to determine whether the initial decision was correct.
- Final Decision: The referee makes the final decision based on the video evidence. If the challenge is successful, the team retains the right to challenge again; if unsuccessful, the coach loses the ability to challenge for the remainder of that half or extra time.[1]
History
[edit]Futsal
[edit]Football video support was first introduced in futsal at the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.[2] A notable instance of its use was during the final match between Portugal and Argentina, where the Argentine player Cristian Borruto was sent off following a successful challenge by the Portuguese team.
Association football
[edit]After the successful implementation in futsal, FIFA also used the new system at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup in 2024 and then announced the implementation for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[3]
Differences to VAR
[edit]While both video support and VAR aim to correct clear and obvious errors, their implementation and operational procedures differ significantly:
- Initiation: VAR is automatically triggered by a video assistant referee, whereas VS requires a coach's challenge.
- Final Decision: In both systems, the on-field referee has the final say, but in VAR, the process can include "silent checks" that do not delay the game, unlike the mandatory stop in play for a VS challenge review.
References
[edit]- ^ "What is Football Video Support?". FIFA. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™". FIFA. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Football Video Support to be implemented at FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024™". FIFA. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.