Championship Clubs Reject VAR Implementation for Next Season

Championship teams have declined to implement a video assistant referee system for the following season. The proposal, which involved a simplified version of VAR called Football Video Support (FVS), was discussed during the EFL’s annual meeting. PGMO presented the idea to league officials, but the clubs remained firmly opposed to any form of video review in their competition.

According to BBC Sport, the initiative is likely to be put on hold for the near future. There is no immediate plan to revive the concept within a year. Meanwhile, Goal Line Technology will stay in use across the second tier. A cost review is scheduled for June, with potential discussions on expanding it to League One.

Managers Call for VAR, But Clubs Resist

Despite some managerial support, Championship clubs have shown little interest in adopting VAR. Recent months saw several coaches express openness to the system, citing its potential to improve decision accuracy. However, clubs remain cautious, fearing it could disrupt the flow of matches and add financial strain.

“Moments where I miss VAR to get the right decisions,” said Philippe Clement, Norwich manager, following a recent penalty incident against Ipswich.

“Many signs, evaluations that with VAR the decisions are better and more fair,” remarked Gerhard Struber, former Bristol City boss, in January.

VAR has already been introduced in Spain, Italy, and Germany, with Ligue 2 in France set to adopt it before a financial setback halted the plan. The system requires fewer resources than full VAR, offering two challenges per match to each coach. If a challenge is successful, the coach retains it.

FVS: A Simpler Alternative

FVS, which involves a replay operator providing camera angles to the pitchside monitor, aims to reduce the frequency of interventions. The Football Association’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, noted that it “minimizes VAR checks and shifts responsibility to the coaching staff.” Yet, the system may still lead to more stoppages, as trials suggest each match could see up to four reviews—potentially increasing with successful challenges.

Trials of FVS have occurred in Spain’s third division, Italy’s Serie C, and the women’s top flight. The Canadian Premier League recently expanded its use, but concerns have already emerged. In a dramatic final moment, Pacific FC and Supra du Quebec were tied at 2-2 when a tackle by Joshua Belluz went unchecked. A challenge for a red card was later used tactically, resulting in Belluz’s dismissal after a monitor review confirmed a yellow card. The team then scored a winning goal in added time.