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 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania in 2021.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Video_Support.jpg/220px-Video_Support.jpg)
Procedure
editThere 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
editThe 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 one challenge per half, 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
editFutsal
editFootball video support (VS) was first introduced in futsal sport at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 in Lithuania. A notable instance of its use was during the final match between Portugal and Argentina, where the Argentine player Borruto was sent off following a successful challenge by the Portuguese team.[2]
Association football
editAfter 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 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2024.[3]
Differences to VAR
editWhile 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.