The International Football Association Board (IFAB) held its annual meeting in London, where the “Assistance Video System” (AFVS) emerged as a cost-effective alternative to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
Discussions focused on implementing AFVS to enhance fairness in refereeing decisions while considering the financial challenges faced by football associations worldwide.
To ensure broader adoption, FIFA announced an extension of AFVS field testing, aiming to deliver a more inclusive and cost-efficient solution globally.
Chaired by Patrick Nelson, CEO of the Irish Football Association, the meeting reviewed ongoing tests addressing time-wasting and promoting better player behavior, inspired by recommendations from IFAB’s advisory committees.
Other highlights included exploring referee body cameras, semi-automated offside technology, and extended FIFA studies. The concussion awareness campaign “Start Smart” was praised, with over half of FIFA’s 211 member associations implementing awareness tools, including tailored training for players in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
