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A new, lower-cost alternative to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, known as the Football Video Support (FVS) system, has been rolled out in a domestic league match for the first time, as trials continue beyond FIFA-organized competitions.
The system was used during a Canadian Premier League fixture between Forge FC and Atletico Ottawa, marking a new step in FIFA’s effort to broaden access to video-assisted decision-making in football.
Unlike VAR, where video assistant referees initiate reviews, FVS puts the responsibility on team officials. Under the system, coaches are given a limited number of opportunities to challenge key decisions, including goals, penalties, and card incidents.
In the Canadian Premier League match, the system came into play during a first-half penalty decision. Following a set piece, Forge FC forward Brian Wright went down after contact from goalkeeper Tristan Crampton, prompting the referee to award a penalty.
Atletico Ottawa head coach Diego Mejia responded by submitting an FVS challenge using one of the allocated cards. The referee reviewed the incident but chose to uphold the original decision, and the challenge was deemed unsuccessful. Forge FC later converted the penalty, contributing to their 2-0 victory.
FVS operates on a structured challenge system. Coaches are typically granted two opportunities per match to contest decisions, with an additional challenge available if the match goes into extra time.
To trigger a review, the coach must clearly signal the request—either by handing over a card to the fourth official or by making a verbal appeal.
FIFA has been testing FVS in various settings since its initial trial in the Spanish Futsal League in 2021. The governing body has since expanded testing across multiple competitions, with a focus on making the technology more accessible to leagues with limited financial resources.
In November last year, FIFA announced plans to increase the use of FVS in domestic competitions. FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina indicated in February that more member associations and competition organizers would likely be invited to take part in upcoming trials for the next season.
By shifting review initiation from officials to coaches and limiting the number of challenges, FVS is positioned as a more affordable and simplified system compared to VAR. While trials are ongoing, its use in Canada signals a move toward broader real-world application at the league level.
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