Introduced with the promise of eliminating clear errors and ensuring justice on the pitch, VAR has instead become a source of controversy, bringing confusion and frustration among players, coaches, and fans alike.
Just ask Arsenal supporters. Their recent fury reached new heights when Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off for what appeared to be a routine trip—one that should’ve warranted nothing more than a yellow card. Referee Michael Oliver brandished a red, and VAR’s Darren England refused to overturn it.
The decision left fans and pundits seething, with Jamie O’Hara summing up the frustration: “VAR should get shut down. That is how bad VAR is.” But the anger isn’t just about this one call—it’s about the pattern of inconsistencies plaguing the system.
Carlo Ancelotti has also voiced his disdain for VAR, particularly in La Liga, where he has seen his Real Madrid side suffer from questionable decisions. The Italian tactician has praised UEFA competitions for their superior officiating and fewer VAR interruptions. And that’s saying something, considering the Champions League isn’t exactly immune to controversy either. Ancelotti’s words echo a growing sentiment: football was better without the constant stoppages and technical interference.
The Core Issues with VAR
The primary issue with VAR lies in its inconsistent application and the erosion of the game’s spontaneous nature. Matches are frequently halted for prolonged reviews, yet the decisions are often as baffling as the on-field calls they aim to correct. The lack of transparency only fuels the frustration, leaving players and fans questioning the legitimacy of the process.
Many argue that VAR, in its current form, disrupts the natural flow of the game, turning moments of celebration into prolonged waits filled with uncertainty. With an entire team of video officials scrutinizing every detail, the system has created more problems than it has solved.
Enter Football Video Support (FVS)
In response to the growing dissatisfaction with VAR, FIFA has proposed an alternative: Football Video Support (FVS). Unlike VAR, which operates in the background with multiple video assistants analyzing every decision, FVS hands the power to managers. Each coach would receive two challenges per match, allowing them to request a review of a questionable decision. If the challenge is unsuccessful, they lose one of their two allotted reviews.
The biggest advantage of FVS is its simplicity. While VAR requires over a dozen cameras, a team of officials, and several minutes to reach a conclusion, FVS operates with just four to five cameras and a single replay operator. The referee watches the footage himself and makes the final call—without external interference or confusing dialogue between officials that fans never hear.
Why FVS Might Be the Answer
FIFA has already tested FVS in the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, with promising results. The system ensures fewer interruptions while still allowing major errors to be corrected. Its reduced cost and simpler infrastructure also make FVS an attractive option for lower-tier leagues and competitions that cannot afford the full VAR setup.
Imagine a world where every league, no matter its budget, has access to video assistance without disrupting the flow of the game. This could be a game-changer for smaller leagues, where the financial burden of VAR is unsustainable.
Potential Drawbacks of FVS
That said, FVS isn’t without its flaws. Its reliance on just a few cameras means it won’t catch everything. Complex offside decisions, for example, might still be difficult to judge accurately. Additionally, the challenge system introduces an element of strategy—teams might run out of challenges early and suffer from an uncorrected mistake later in the game.
However, fans already seem to prefer the idea of a slightly flawed system that respects the rhythm of the game over VAR’s current mess of drawn-out decisions.
The Future of Football Officiating
The IFAB, the governing body responsible for football’s laws, has approved further trials of FVS, with FIFA looking to implement it in more competitions. However, the system isn’t expected to replace VAR at the highest level just yet. For now, it’s primarily being considered for leagues with fewer resources, where the cost and complexity of VAR are simply unfeasible.
That said, if FVS proves successful, the pressure will mount on top leagues to rethink their approach. A shift towards a more organic, free-flowing version of football—one where referees regain their authority, fans don’t have to wait forever to celebrate goals, and managers can challenge obvious errors—could be on the horizon.
FVS won’t be a perfect system, but let’s be honest: anything that moves football away from the disaster that VAR has become is worth exploring.
What do you think? Is FVS the solution football needs, or will it just be another failed experiment? Let us know in the comments below!
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