SYDNEY: Football Australia has announced that the upcoming Australian Championship playoffs will feature a trial of FIFA’s new Football Video Support (FVS) system — a streamlined alternative to the traditional Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The trials will take place over the next few weeks as part of FIFA’s effort to make video review technology more accessible to leagues with limited resources.
Unlike VAR, which relies on an off-site or sideline official monitoring multiple camera angles throughout the match, FVS operates on a coach-triggered review mechanism. Coaches will be permitted to request reviews only for specific incidents: goals, penalties, direct red cards, or cases of mistaken identity. Each request will prompt the on-field referee to consult a pitchside monitor to confirm or overturn the original decision.
With fewer camera angles available, FIFA anticipates that some calls will remain unchanged due to inconclusive evidence. Previous international youth tournaments have tested the system, typically allowing coaches two appeals per match, with successful challenges retained.
Australia has long been a pioneer in video-assisted officiating, having become the first top-flight domestic league to introduce VAR in 2017. The introduction of FVS marks another step in exploring technology that balances accuracy, cost, and accessibility within the sport.
