Spain’s Liga F is set to make history by becoming the first senior professional league to introduce Football Video Support (FVS), a groundbreaking alternative to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced that FVS will be integrated into the top tier of Spanish women’s football starting from the 2025-26 season.
Unlike traditional VAR, which involves automatic video checks by a match official, FVS allows managers to challenge two on-field decisions per game. The move aims to bridge the gap between officiating standards in men’s and women’s football while keeping costs manageable.
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A Step Towards Full VAR Implementation
The RFEF has positioned this initiative as the first phase of a broader strategy to introduce VAR in Liga F. The federation has confirmed that it will “seek FIFA’s permission and guidance” to ensure the system aligns with international standards. The ultimate goal is to implement a fully equivalent VAR system in both the men’s and women’s top divisions in Spain.
The decision to adopt FVS was made on Wednesday during a refereeing reform meeting in women’s football, where representatives from clubs, referees, and players collectively agreed on its introduction.
What Is Football Video Support (FVS)?
FVS is designed as a “cost-effective alternative to VAR,” primarily benefiting leagues and competitions that struggle to afford traditional VAR technology. The system was previously trialed at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup in May and the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in September, with promising results.
According to FIFA’s guidelines, FVS will be used in cases of “a possible clear and obvious error or serious missed incident,” covering key match situations such as:
- Goal/no goal decisions
- Direct red card offenses
- Penalty/no penalty incidents
- Cases of mistaken identity
However, unlike VAR, there is no video match official automatically reviewing decisions. Instead, coaches must actively request a review, making FVS a challenge-based system rather than a continuous monitoring tool.
How FVS Works in Matches
A team’s head coach is the only one authorized to request a review. FIFA’s protocol states that a coach must signal a challenge by “twirling their finger in the air” and submitting a review request card to the fourth official. While players can urge their coach to challenge a decision, they do not have the authority to do so themselves.
Each team will have a maximum of two challenges per match. If the review results in a reversed decision, the challenge is retained; if the ruling stands, the challenge is lost. This structure ensures that FVS is used strategically and prevents excessive interruptions to gameplay.
FIFA’s Vision for FVS
FIFA has clarified that FVS is not intended to replace VAR but rather to address the needs of leagues unable to implement the full system due to financial and logistical constraints. A significant number of member associations had requested a more affordable alternative, leading to FIFA’s decision to extend FVS trials globally.
VAR has been in place in Spain’s La Liga since the 2018-19 season and is widely used in international women’s tournaments, including the Women’s Champions League knockout stages and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). However, its adoption in domestic women’s leagues has remained limited.
Recent Officiating Controversy in Liga F
The push for improved officiating technology in Spanish women’s football comes in the wake of a high-profile refereeing controversy. In the recent clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona, a crucial goal by Barcelona’s Jana Fernandez was incorrectly ruled offside with the match tied at 1-1. Madrid ultimately secured victory, but the error highlighted the urgent need for enhanced officiating tools.
With FVS set to debut in Liga F, Spanish women’s football is at the forefront of officiating innovation. This move could set a precedent for other leagues seeking a balance between accuracy and affordability in match officiating. If successful, FVS might become a widely adopted alternative for leagues unable to implement full-scale VAR, reinforcing fair play while maintaining financial sustainability.
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FAQs
What is Football Video Support (FVS) in Liga F?
FVS is a cost-effective alternative to VAR that allows coaches to challenge two on-field decisions per game, rather than having a video match official automatically review key incidents.
When will FVS be introduced in Spain’s Liga F?
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed that FVS will be implemented in Liga F from the 2025-26 season.
How does FVS differ from VAR?
Unlike VAR, where officials monitor every decision, FVS requires coaches to request a review by signaling to the fourth official. This system reduces costs while still enhancing officiating accuracy.
Why is Spain introducing FVS instead of VAR?
FIFA developed FVS for leagues that cannot afford full VAR technology. Spain sees this as a stepping stone towards implementing VAR in Liga F in the future.
Has FVS been tested before?
Yes, FVS was trialed at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup in May and the Women’s U-20 World Cup in September, with FIFA extending its trials worldwide.
