Championship clubs reject video review system for 2026-27 season

Championship clubs voted against introducing Football Video Support (FVS) for the 2026-27 season.

Championship clubs vote against FVS Championship clubs declined to adopt Football Video Support (FVS), a limited version of VAR, for the upcoming 2026-27 season. FVS was proposed as a lower-cost alternative requiring fewer officials and allowing each manager two challenges per match. The system was presented at the EFL's annual meeting last month by Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). After collecting club feedback, it became clear there was strong opposition to any form of video review in the Championship. ## Support for VAR in Championship grows Several Championship managers have recently spoken in favor of introducing VAR. Norwich's Philippe Clement stated, "There are moments where I miss VAR to get the right decisions," after his team conceded a penalty against Ipswich earlier this month. Former Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber also argued in January that "many signs and evaluations show decisions are better and more fair with VAR." ## Clubs cite concerns over FVS adoption Despite growing calls for VAR, Championship clubs showed no interest in moving forward with FVS. They expressed worries about the system's impact on match flow for supporters and the financial burden of implementation. FVS has been trialed in lower leagues in Spain, Italy, and Canada, but concerns remain about its usage and effectiveness. ## Goal Line Technology and future votes Goal Line Technology will continue to be used in the Championship. A cost analysis will be conducted before a vote in June to decide whether to extend it to League One. VAR is currently used in second divisions in Spain, Italy, and Germany, while its planned introduction in France's Ligue 2 was scrapped due to financial issues stemming from a collapsed TV rights deal. ## How Football Video Support works Football Video Support (FVS) has been tested for two years as a simplified video review system for leagues with limited resources. Unlike full VAR, FVS does not involve dedicated officials but relies on a replay operator presenting camera angles to the referee at pitchside. Each manager receives two challenges per game, and if a challenge is successful, the team retains it. FVS aims to minimize unnecessary interventions by shifting responsibility to coaches. ## Potential increase in stoppages with FVS While FVS reduces the number of VAR checks, it may lead to more frequent match stoppages. In the last two rounds of Premier League games, referees reviewed just twice across 20 matches. With FVS, that number could rise to four times per game, or even more if a manager's challenge is upheld. The system has been tested in Spain's third division and women's top flight, as well as Italy's Serie C and Canada's Premier League. ## Concerns over FVS usage in Canada Concerns have already emerged about FVS usage in the Canadian Premier League. In a match between Pacific FC and Supra du Quebec, referee allowed a late tackle by Joshua Belluz to go unpunished. Supra du Quebec challenged for a straight red card, and after review, the referee downgraded it to a yellow card, which led to Belluz's dismissal. Supra du Quebec lost their challenge but used it tactically to get a player sent off, and later scored a winning goal in added time caused by the review. ## Football Video Support trial history FVS trials have taken place in Spain’s third-tier men’s league and the top flight of the women’s game. The system was also expanded to Italy’s Serie C and the Canadian Premier League this month. Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham noted earlier this year that FVS "reduces the amount of times when there is a VAR intervention and effectively puts the onus on the coach."