Italy may become the first nation to trial a different, more streamlined form of VAR in its professional leagues. The FIGC has requested FIFA’s approval to experiment with Football Video Support (FVS) in Serie C and Serie A Women’s league. This system offers a more economical VAR solution, requiring fewer resources to address significant errors.
What is Football Video Support?
Football Video Support, like VAR, utilizes video technology to assist referees in complex decisions. However, it’s important to note that FVS is a “support” system, not a full “review” system like VAR. FVS is only employed in cases of potential clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents within four specific scenarios.
The 4 Key Situations for FVS Intervention:
Football Video Support can intervene, after the referee has made an on-field decision (or decided not to whistle), in these four critical areas:
- Goal/No Goal
- Penalty/No Penalty
- Direct Red Cards and Direct Expulsions
- Mistaken Identity (in cases of yellow and red cards)
Requesting FVS Intervention: Who and How?
FVS is a support tool and, therefore, is not continuously active. It must be “requested.” In this initial phase, coaches of both teams can request FVS up to two times per match. Referees can also request it if uncertain about a decision. The request process is simple: the coach signals to the referee by rotating their index finger and hands a card to the fourth official explaining the reason for the request.
Fewer Cameras, Fewer Certainties
Compared to VAR, FVS uses significantly fewer cameras, potentially leading to situations where the perfect replay isn’t available. Protocols tested at the FIFA Youth Cup 2024 involved between 1 and 4 cameras, but this number could increase to 8 depending on agreements with broadcasters. Once FVS is requested, the referee will go to a review area, assisted by an operator on the field who will show available replays. Only with absolute certainty of an error can the referee change their initial decision.
No Offside Focus
Unlike VAR, FVS will generally not intervene in offside situations, except for incredibly obvious cases. Without camera triangulation and live player tracking, FVS cannot clarify doubtful or marginal offside calls with centimeter precision as VAR does.
FVS Does Not Replace VAR
FIFA’s introduction of FVS is not intended to replace or eliminate VAR. FVS is designed to assist federations and competitions where the costs of implementing full VAR infrastructure are prohibitive or unfeasible.