{{Short description|Sports officiating technology}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} [[File:Video_Support.jpg | thumb | right | Video Support logo]] '''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. The FVS offers a simplified alternative to VAR.
== Procedure == There are four categories of decisions that can be reviewed.
* '''[[Scoring in association football|Goal/no goal]]''' – [[Foul (association football)|attacking team commits an offence]], ball out of play, ball entering goal, offside, handball, offences and encroachment during penalty kicks. * '''[[Penalty kick (association football)|Penalty/no penalty]]''' – [[Foul (association football)|attacking team commits an offence]], ball out of play, location of offence, incorrect awarding, offence not penalised. * '''Direct [[Red card (association football)|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 [[Penalty card#Yellow card|yellow card]].
=== Check === The FVS procedure involves several steps:
# Challenge Request: Unlike VAR, where decisions are automatically reviewed by a Video Assistant Referee, FVS 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.
== History == After Video Support was tested in the Spanish Futsal League, it made its debut in a FIFA tournament at the 2021 Futsal World Cup. Following its successful implementation in futsal, the system was renamed Football Video Support and tested in various FIFA association football tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Football Video Support moving forwards and gaining global momentum |url=https://inside.fifa.com/innovation/news/football-video-support-moving-forwards-and-gaining-global-momentum |access-date=5 April 2026}}</ref> National federations soon expressed interest in adopting the technology for their own competitions.
=== Futsal === Football video support was first introduced in [[futsal]] at the [[2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup]] in [[Lithuania]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ |url=https://inside.fifa.com/news/video-support-to-debut-at-fifa-futsal-world-cup-lithuania-2021-tm|publisher=FIFA|date=10 September 2021|accessdate=16 September 2024}}</ref> 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. Previously, FVS had already been tested in the [[Primera División de Futsal]] and other futsal competitions organized by the [[Royal Spanish Football Federation]]. FVS was used again during the [[2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup]].
=== Association football === After the successful implementation in futsal, FIFA also used the new system at the [[2024 Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup|Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup]] in 2024 and then announced the implementation for the [[2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inside.fifa.com/technical/refereeing/news/football-video-support-to-be-implemented-at-fifa-u-20-womens-world-cup|title=Football Video Support to be implemented at FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024™|publisher=FIFA|date=5 June 2024|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref> In October 2024, [[Italian Football Federation|FIGC]] President [[Gabriele Gravina]] informed [[International Football Association Board|IFAB]] that they wanted to test FVS in Italy's [[Serie C]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title=VAR-Alternative? Italien testet Challenge-System |url=https://www.ran.de/sports/fussball/news/italien-der-bessere-var-serie-c-testet-video-support-mit-challenge-system-443346 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=www.ran.de |language=de}}</ref> [[Knut Kircher]], the sporting director of [[German Football Association|DFB]] Schiri GmbH, also expressed that they were open to introducing it in the German leagues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-19 |title=Fußball: Schiri-Chef offen für Reform des Videobeweises |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/sport/bundesliga-videobeweis-kircher-offen-fuer-reform-100.html |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=ZDFheute |language=de}}</ref> The system will be used in the [[2025–26 Liga F|2025–26 season]] of [[Liga F]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Comienza una Liga F con muchas novedades: VAR bajo demanda y todos los estadios de césped natural |url=https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20250830/comienza-liga-f-muchas-novedades-var-bajo-demanda-todos-estadios-cesped-natural/16711383.shtml |website=RTVE |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> and in the [[2026 Canadian Premier League season|2026 season]] of the [[Canadian Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Canadian Premier League to conduct “daylight offside” trial in cooperation with FIFA |url=https://inside.fifa.com/refereeing/news/canadian-premier-league-daylight-offside-trial-cooperation-fifa |website=inside.fifa.com |access-date=5 April 2026 |language=en |date=31 March 2026}}</ref>
== Differences to VAR == While both FVS and VAR aim to correct clear and obvious errors, their implementation and operational procedures differ significantly:{{Citation needed|date= March 2026}}
* Initiation: VAR is automatically triggered by a video assistant referee, whereas FVS 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 FVS challenge review. * Location: The Replay Operator is positioned pitchside, behind the Referee Review Area (RRA), and is responsible for providing the best possible broadcast angles from that location.
== References == <references />
[[Category:Laws of association football]] [[Category:Sports officiating technology]] [[Category:Association football referees]] [[Category:Video]] [[Category:Futsal]] [[Category:Futsal referees]]