FIFA is rolling out a brand new VAR challenge initiative that gives managers the power to use purple and blue cards during matches to request a decision review from the referee, but it threatens to lead to even more frustrating delays. The cards are currently being tested at the 2025 Under-20 World Cup in Chile and in other smaller-scale tournaments and leagues.
'Cost-effective and stable' new FIFA system
As per the , pilot runs of the new system, called Football Video Support (FVS) – described as "cost-effective and stable" by FIFA – have been introduced by competitions that do not have the financial means to use full VAR technology. Serie C and the Primera Federacion (the third tier of men's football in Italy and Spain, respectively), and the Liga F (Spain's top-flight division for women) became the first competitions to start using FVS on a full-time basis in August. Trials have also taken place in the Italy women's Serie A, and in Brazil's Copa Paulista and Copa do Brasil Feminina.
AdvertisementHow do purple and blue cards work?
Each opposing manager is given a card at the start of a match – one purple and one blue to differentiate teams – which can only be used by them or an appointed senior team official in their absence. Managers can make two review requests, and just like in tennis and cricket, one is lost if a challenge is unsuccessful, and the two will remain intact should a challenge be upheld.
Players can also ask their managers to issue a challenge, but all review requests must be made immediately after an incident has occurred. Managers are required to twirl a finger in the air and hand their card to the fourth official to lodge an official review request.
The most recent use of FVS came in Morocco's semi-final clash with France at the U20 World Cup on Wednesday. Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi waved a purple card after his team's appeals for a penalty were waved away, and the referee subsequently reviewed the video evidence on a pitch-side monitor. The referee's original decision was upheld, much to Ouahbi's disappointment, but Morocco still went on to win the tie on penalties.
Unfortunately, the review system still caused a lengthy delay to the match, and some fans have suggested managers could use it as a tool to disrupt their opponents' rhythm. X user @krasmanalderey sarcastically said, "This is definitely not gonna get abused to time waste…", with @pincigoat adding, "Teams that are losing towards the end of the game appeal just for the sake of it and ref has to go to the monitor to check random plays".
Meanwhile, @Valkyrie1336786, dragged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta into the debate, saying, "Don't let Arteta see this!!! We might never leave the pitch!"
Getty ImagesWhat's being said about it?
FIFA has stated that the FVS system "is used only in the event of a possible clear and obvious error, or serious missed incident in relation to the following scenarios, such as goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty or direct red cards (not second cautions)". Legendary former referee Pierluigi Collina, who is now the chairman of FIFA Referees Committee, has confirmed that they have been "encouraged" by initial test results, though FVS is not being lined up to replace the current VAR format.
"FVS is a tool to support referees in competitions with fewer resources and cameras. It should not be seen as VAR or as a modified version of it, as it does not include video match officials monitoring every incident," Collina added.
AFPWhat comes next?
The next use of purple and blue cards could come on Sunday, when Morocco take on Argentina in the U20 World Cup final. FVS will also be trialled at the 2025 men's and women's U17 World Cups in Qatar and Morocco, respectively, while several FIFA Member Associations are set to participate in trials later this year or in early 2026.
FIFA intends to continue using FVS in competitions where matches are covered by up to four cameras, instead of the multi-camera systems used across the biggest divisions in world football.