FIFA considering replacing VAR with new ‘simplified’ system – how it works

According to a new report, FIFA are considering replacing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) with a new system called Football Video Support (FVS).

Since VAR was introduced in England in 2018, Manchester United have experienced their fair share of issues across the Premier League and European competition.

Most recently, they had a controversial clash with the system after West Ham were awarded a penalty that should not have been given that led to Erik ten Hag’s sacking. PGMOL, the refereeing body, admitted after that it was a mistake.

Earlier this season, Bruno Fernandes was handed a red card and a three-match ban for a challenge on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison, which was then overturned, but the damage was already done as United lost 3-0 on the day.

VAR has been a controversial topic for years in England, with many fans calling for the system to either be scapped or replaced.

FIFA’s new VAR alternative

However, a new report from Mundo Deportivo claims that FIFA is considering replacing VAR with a new system called Football Video Support (FVS).

This support system would be much simpler at a technical level. Four or five cameras would be needed, and there would be no referee reviewing the footage.

Managers or head coaches of each team, such as Rúben Amorim, can request the referee to review his decision twice each game. They do not get a second claim if they lose the first review.

The referee will go to the FVS system only when the managers ask, and he cannot decide to review a decision himself.

What does this mean for Manchester United?

Should the FVS system be implemented across English competitions or in UEFA competitions, games for United could flow much faster.

Traditionally, VAR has slowed games down, often spending minutes at a time determining minor actions or decisions from players or tight offside calls to determine whether goals should stand.

FVS would streamline this process as the video check would only happen a few times a game. This would mean that the teams could choose to save their reviews if they deem them unnecessary or more valuable later in the fixture.

However, semi-auto offsides, which will be introduced in the Premier League later this season, will help speed up the process of some VAR calls.

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