In Madrid, the Spanish soccer federation has announced its plans to seek approval from FIFA to implement a more affordable video review system in the women’s league for the upcoming season. This system would not only offer a cost-effective solution but also allow coaches the opportunity to challenge decisions made on the field, drawing inspiration from sports leagues in the United States.
The decision to pursue FIFA’s Football Video Support (FVS) system follows a controversial incident during a women’s clasico match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, where a Barcelona goal was mistakenly ruled offside. Significantly, this game marked Real Madrid’s first victory over Barcelona in women’s soccer history.
The federation sees the introduction of this technology as a progression towards achieving full video assistant referee (VAR) capabilities for the women’s games, which is already a standard in the men’s league but has yet to be fully implemented in the women’s.
FIFA, having tested FVS in a youth tournament previously, describes this system as a mobile and more economical alternative to the conventional VAR, which requires more extensive infrastructure—such as additional cameras and continuous oversight from VAR officials. According to FIFA, the development of FVS was in response to the demands of various member associations seeking a cheaper option to aid referees with decision-making.
The FVS system is designed to be adaptable, functioning in matches with minimal camera presence. Whether utilizing human-operated or automated cameras, even single-camera setups can integrate FVS, stating FIFA.
Coaches will express their intent to challenge by twirling their fingers in the air and handing a review request card to the fourth official. Generally, teams would have two challenges, and if successful, meaning the decision is overturned, they do not lose that challenge. This feature mirrors challenge systems present in prominent U.S. sports leagues like the NFL and the NBA.
Upon a goal, the fourth official is responsible for reviewing footage to alert the referee of any apparent mistake. Though a final version of the system intended for Spain hasn’t been launched yet, FIFA maintains that FVS should involve minimal connectivity or installation requirements, making it possible for seamless installation at the pitch side or within the TV compound area.
The video replay should derive from a minimum of one camera angle to effectively support referee decisions. Additionally, the technology must be lightweight and easily transportable, thus adaptable to various stadium settings. However, FIFA acknowledged that with fewer cameras, the replay might sometimes be inconclusive, possibly retaining the original decision. In cases where technology fails, matches will proceed without the use of FVS.