Video replay system for arbitration Football Video Support is being introduced in the first league

The Ukrainian Football Association is taking the next step in modernizing refereeing.

In Ukrainian football, the FVS (Football Video Support) system developed by FIFA is being introduced. Seeking to improve the level of refereeing, the UAF has urged the Referees Committee to reform and innovate. In particular, the introduction of technologies should be implemented even where the deployment of the classic VAR system is currently impossible.

What is FVS?

FVS is a simplified and much more accessible alternative to VAR. Its essence is to give the referee the opportunity to review a video replay of a key incident on a monitor near the field and make a final decision.

Unlike VAR, the system does not require a separate team of video assistants constantly monitoring the game and a large number of cameras. A minimal set of equipment is sufficient: several cameras, a replay operator, and a monitor in the review area. The operator can work either directly near the field or remotely - in which case the materials are transmitted online.

The system has already been tested by FIFA at official international tournaments, including youth World Cups, and has proven its effectiveness: FVS helps correct clear errors without disrupting the flow of the game.

Review initiated by the coach.

If in VAR the review is recommended by video assistants, in FVS the right to request a review belongs to the teams - specifically the head coach.

The request procedure looks like this: immediately after a disputed incident, the coach shows the referee a request gesture - rotating a pointing finger in the air - and hands a special request card to the fourth official, specifying the category of the incident. The fourth official immediately informs the head referee via radio communication, and the head coach of the opposing team is also informed about the request. Any player, including a substitute, can recommend the coach to make a request, but the submission itself is exclusively a coaching right.

After that, the referee reviews the incident on the monitor and makes a final decision. The principle familiar from VAR applies: the decision is changed only when the video replay clearly confirms an obvious mistake.

How many requests does a team have

Each coach has two requests per match. If after the review the referee does not change his decision, the request is forfeited, so it is worth using them only in moments that truly affect the result.

If the competition regulations provide for extra time, the team receives one more request, and unused requests in regular time are carried over to extra time.

Which incidents are subject to review

FVS is applied only in five categories of incidents that can directly affect the match result:

Goal / no goal - attacking violations leading to a goal (offside, foul, handball), ball out of play, goal awarded or disallowed, penalty incidents;

Penalty / no grounds for a penalty - attacking violations before the incident, location of the foul (inside or outside the penalty area), incorrectly awarded or not awarded penalty;

Straight red card - denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, serious foul play, violent conduct, offensive gestures or actions;

Mistaken identity - if the referee shows a yellow or red card to the wrong player;

Incorrectly shown second yellow card.

Review is only possible after the initial decision of the referee or in case of a serious missed incident - the referee makes a decision as if the FVS system does not exist, and only then can the incident be reviewed.

How will FVS work in Ukraine

Video support is planned to be introduced in the First League. This season, the system will work in a test mode: initially - not in all matches, but in selected games. The goal is to gradually implement the system, expanding FVS to all matches of the championship to ensure equal conditions for all teams.

For the successful implementation of the project, two key conditions must be met, and responsibility for them is divided. The preparation of referees is the responsibility of the Referees Committee. The technical component - equipment, video recording, and communication between the referee, assistant referee, and replay operator - is the responsibility of the clubs.

Currently, the possibility of starting the system's operation from the first round is being checked. The referees are ready for this, while the technical part from the clubs is still undergoing verification.

What does this mean for Ukrainian football?

FVS is not a VAR system and does not replace it - it is a separate tool with a different logic. It allows testing video review technology on a wider range of competitions and helps referees gain experience working with video replays, preparing them for VAR at a higher level.

For teams, this is a real mechanism for controlling decisions in disputed incidents, for fans - confidence that key decisions can be reviewed. Transparent procedures and clear review criteria reduce the conflict around refereeing and increase trust in the game.

Implementing FVS is an indicator that Ukrainian football is implementing modern trends in technology and transparency. In particular, Ukraine is among the top ten countries in the world to introduce the FVS system for domestic competitions.

Changes in the refereeing corps are a consistent process that the UAF intends to continue.