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By Victory Oghene
Baring any last minute hiccups, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA will commence move aimed at enhancing fairness in football, FIFA is reportedly developing a new system called Football Video Support (FVS) that would allow coaches to challenge refereeing decisions. The concept, modelled somewhat after challenge systems used in other sports, would empower coaches to request video reviews of decisions they believe to be incorrect.
Under the FVS system, teams would be able to signal for a review when they disagree with a particular ruling on the pitch. While details are still emerging, it’s expected that challenges could apply to a range of decisions, including fouls, offside rulings, and possible penalties. The system aims to make officiating more transparent and consistent, offering coaches a way to contest calls that they believe may impact the outcome of a match.
This innovation follows years of debate about the role of technology in football and growing reliance on Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to improve officiating accuracy. FIFA’s FVS proposal takes this approach a step further by giving managers an active role in initiating reviews, rather than relying solely on the VAR team to recommend them.
The potential implementation of FVS has sparked both interest and debate within the football community, with many supporters seeing it as a positive step towards fair play, while others express concerns about potential game delays. FIFA is likely to conduct trials to fine-tune the system, addressing potential drawbacks such as ensuring challenges are used judiciously and do not disrupt the flow of the game.
The FVS system is yet another example of FIFA’s ongoing efforts to modernise the sport, aiming to address controversies around officiating and to keep football aligned with other major sports that have adopted similar systems. Further details are expected as the governing body continues consultations with football leagues, refereeing bodies, and club representatives worldwide.
