Clubs in the Championship have declined the opportunity to adopt a modified version of video assistant refereeing for the upcoming season. The system, known as Football Video Support (FVS), was considered as a potential addition from August but did not receive sufficient support.
Clubs in the Championship have declined the opportunity to adopt a modified version of video assistant refereeing for the upcoming season. The system, known as Football Video Support (FVS), was considered as a potential addition from August but did not receive sufficient support.
The concept was presented by Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) during the English Football League’s annual meeting last month. After gathering responses from clubs, it became clear there was widespread resistance to any form of video review in the division.
According to reports, the proposal has effectively been shelved, with little expectation it will be revisited in the near future. The idea is unlikely to return for discussion even next year given the current stance of the clubs.
Despite calls from several managers in recent months for the introduction of VAR, clubs remained unconvinced. Norwich manager Philippe Clement pointed to situations where additional review tools could have improved decision-making, while former Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber argued that evidence suggests officiating becomes more accurate and fair with such systems.
However, financial considerations and the potential impact on supporters played a major role in the decision. Clubs were wary of the expense involved in implementing FVS and how it might affect the flow and enjoyment of matches.
Goal Line Technology will remain in use in the Championship, and there will be a separate cost evaluation ahead of a June vote on whether to expand it into League One.
FVS has been tested over the past two years as a simpler alternative to traditional VAR, designed for competitions with fewer cameras and officials. Instead of a full VAR setup, a replay operator provides footage directly to the referee at a pitchside monitor.
Under this system, each coach is given two opportunities per match to challenge decisions. If a challenge is successful, it is retained. The approach shifts responsibility toward the coaching staff and aims to reduce automatic interventions.
Even so, the system could lead to more stoppages. While recent Premier League match rounds saw referees consult the monitor only twice across 20 games, FVS could result in up to four reviews per match, or even more if challenges are upheld.
The system has been trialled in Spain’s lower men’s division and top women’s league, as well as Italy’s Serie C. It was also introduced in the Canadian Premier League this month, where early use has already raised concerns.
In one incident, Pacific FC faced Supra du Quebec in a match that was level late on. After a contentious tackle went unpunished, Supra du Quebec used a challenge seeking a red card. Although the foul did not meet that threshold, the referee reviewed the incident and issued a yellow card, which led to a dismissal due to a prior booking.
Even though the challenge was unsuccessful, it was used strategically to influence the outcome. Supra du Quebec later scored the winning goal during the additional time created by the review, highlighting how the system could be exploited.
