FIFA unveil simpler VAR system where managers get two challenges per match, similar to tennis or cricket... as Premier League clubs vote on whether to scrap it completely

Football is copying cricket and tennis by trialling a new challenge system in which managers will have the power to twirl their finger in the air to initiate a video review of a refereeing decision.

Called Football Video Support (FVS) and seen as a simplified alternative to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the first trials have already been conducted by FIFA in Zurich.

It involves teams being allowed a total of two challenges per match for situations such as goals, penalties, red cards and in cases of mistaken identity. If they win their challenge, as is the case in other sports, they would retain that review.

Managers initiate the challenge by twirling their finger and handing a card to the fourth official before describing what they would like reviewing by the referee at the pitch-side monitor. Players can recommend a review but the final decision lies with their coach.

News of the FVS system comes less than a week after it was revealed that Premier League clubs will vote next month on whether to scrap VAR, a move which was triggered by Wolves.

Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, said of the initial trials held in the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup in Zurich: ‘The outcome was very, very positive. Our aim is to continue to trial this new system, namely in our youth competitions. We hope to be able to give all of you who have indicated an interest in the possibility to implement this system in your competitions.’

FVS has initially been developed for competitions that do not have the resources to use VAR, which requires multiple cameras and officials. It would only ever be introduced at elite levels if trials, which could take years, are deemed successful by FIFA and the lawmakers IFAB.

A key consideration will be how managers, players and fans react when they lose a review, and if the system is somehow abused, such as to tactically waste time.

Trials are not set to be extended to leagues and competitions elsewhere as of yet as FIFA want to keep their testing in-house with their youth tournaments for the time being.