For those disillusioned with VAR there may be salvation in FVS, a new system being trialled by the game’s lawmakers where managers call for a challenge when they dispute a decision.
Football Video Support is being designed as a low-cost alternative to VAR for leagues with fewer cameras. David Elleray, the technical director of the International FA Board (Ifab), said that it would be suitable for League One, League Two or the National League in English football — though the EFL insists that there is no appetite for video officials in its competitions.
Another potential use could be in the Women’s Super League — FVS was trialled by Fifa in the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in October and England’s head coach, Natalie Henderson, successfully challenged a goal awarded to Mexico in their group match, with the referee agreeing, after a video review, that the ball had not crossed the line.
Each team is allowed two unsuccessful challenges per match, as is the case with similar set-ups in cricket and tennis.
Some coaches have suggested that VAR should be adapted to a challenge system for subjective decisions, with technology deciding offside and line calls, but Elleray said that was not being pursued.
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“There’s no reason to have challenges with VAR because the video match officials check every single incident,” Elleray said.
“[FVS] is mainly designed for competitions where you’ve only got one, two, three or maximum four cameras. So Leagues One and Two could be in that, or the National League or whatever. And what it does emphasise — and away from VAR — is the ‘clear and obvious’ concept.
“Because when you’ve only got one camera it’s got to be pretty clear and obvious for the decision to be changed. So it’ll either be at the top end of smaller countries or lower down in bigger countries.”
Patrick Nelson, the chief executive of the Irish FA and an Ifab board member, said that trials would be extended when the law-making body has its annual meeting in March.
“It’s different from VAR but it’s an alternative to it. It relies upon the challenge system being promoted by the coaches,” Nelson said.
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“We’re talking about two challenges per coach per game and it’s up to the coaches to determine when they want the referee to come over to the side and to take a look at something.
“So we’re extending the trials on it and we’re trying to learn more about it. And as the price will come down, it will get democratised and hopefully it will get rolled out further.”
