The Australian Championship is set to make history this Finals Series, becoming one of the first competitions worldwide selected by FIFA to trial a new video review system called Football Video Support (FVS).
The Australian Championship has been chosen by FIFA as a key testing ground for FVS, a streamlined alternative to traditional Video Assistance Referee (VAR) systems created for leagues that operate without extensive broadcast infrastructure. The system provides targeted video assistance in the biggest match-deciding moments without the complexity or constant intervention of full VAR.
FVS allows teams to request a limited number of reviews for major incidents such as goals, penalties and direct red cards. It’s designed specifically for competitions like the Australian Championship, where matches are televised but may not have the camera coverage required for a full VAR set-up.
For fans, FVS will be simple and easy to follow. When a head coach believes a clear error has been made in a critical moment, they can request a review, prompting the referee to check the footage at a pitch-side monitor. The process is quick and intentionally limited to avoid disrupting the flow of the match.
Football Australia Interim CEO, Heather Garriock, said, “The Australian Championship has grown into a genuine success story of our domestic game, and being selected by FIFA for this global trial reinforces the quality and credibility the competition has built in such a short time.
“Introducing Football Video Support reflects the kind of organisation we want to be, one that embraces innovation, pushes boundaries and continually looks for new ways to elevate our competitions. FVS also puts real trust in our coaches, asking them to use their judgement in high-pressure moments, while adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement to our Finals Series.
“We’ll work closely with FIFA throughout the trial to ensure the system strengthens our match standards but also on how FVS could be introduced into other competitions around Australia.”
Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss, added, “We’re very excited to introduce Football Video Support into the Australian Championship Finals Series. From a technical standpoint, this is a significant development since FVS has been designed precisely for a competition like ours, where broadcast coverage is strong but not extensive enough for a full VAR set-up.
“The system gives referees controlled, targeted access to video in the moments that matter. It’s not about re-refereeing the game but it’s about using the available camera angles in a structured way to correct clear errors without disrupting the flow of the match. Being selected by FIFA for this global trial is a real endorsement of the standard of our officials and the professionalism of the competition.”
How Football Video Support will work in the Australian Championship Finals Series
FVS will be used in all Australian Championship Finals Series matches. Each venue will have a dedicated Referee Review Area and a replay operator onsite to support the match officials.
1. What incidents can be reviewed?
FVS can only be used for four decisions:
- Goal/no goal
- Penalty/no penalty
- Direct red cards (not second yellows)
- Mistaken identity (wrong player cautioned or sent off)
Within these categories, referees may use video to check incidents such as:
- Attacking fouls or handball in a goal-scoring action
- Whether the ball was out of play before a goal or penalty decision
- Whether a foul occurred inside or outside the penalty area
- Serious foul play, violent conduct or denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
A decision will only be changed if the footage shows a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident. If the available camera angles are inconclusive, the on-field decision stands.
2. Who can request a review and how?
Unlike VAR, incidents are not automatically checked. Only the head coach (or the senior technical area official if the coach is absent) can request a review.
To request a review, the head coach must:
- Make a clear twirling finger signal
- Hand a review card to the fourth official
- State the type of incident being challenged
- Once the card is handed over, the request is final and cannot be withdrawn
3. How many review requests does each team get?
- Each team receives two review requests per match
- If the match goes to extra time, they receive one additional request
- Any unused reviews carry into extra time and a penalty shoot-out
A team keeps its review request if the referee changes the original decision in line with what was challenged. If the decision is upheld, or changed for a different reason than the one challenged, the team loses that review.
4. What happens once a review is requested?
After receiving the review card, the fourth official will immediately alert the referee.
- If play has already stopped, the referee will delay the restart, signal for a review, and go to the Referee Review Area to watch the footage
- If play is ongoing, the referee will wait for a neutral moment before stopping the match
At the monitor, the referee will review the incident using the available angles and then clearly signal the final decision before restarting play. There is no strict time limit, but officials will aim to complete reviews as efficiently as possible.
5. Automatic checks after goals and during penalty shoot-outs
There are two situations where the fourth official will automatically conduct a video check:
- After every goal
- The fourth official will quickly check the attacking phase for clear offences such as handball, offside, fouls, or whether the ball went out of play
- Factual decisions (ball out, offside position, goal/no goal) are relayed to the referee
- Subjective decisions (foul, handling) require an on-field review
- During a penalty shoot-out
- The fourth official will check every kick for offences such as goalkeeper encroachment, illegal feinting or a double touch
- If a team still believes a clear error has occurred during a shoot-out, they may request a review, provided they have a card remaining
6. Behaviour and match control
To protect the integrity of the process:
- Players and staff must not crowd or attempt to influence the referee
- No one may enter the Referee Review Area
- Anyone who does may be cautioned
The referee remains visible throughout the review to provide transparency for players and fans.
7. What if the technology fails?
If the replay system or communication equipment fails, the match will continue without FVS.
- Both head coaches and captains will be informed
- A technology malfunction does not invalidate the result
