EFL teams decline VAR trial proposal for Championship
The English Football League (EFL) announced on Tuesday that clubs have declined the opportunity to implement a video assistant referee challenge system in the Championship for the upcoming season.
Football Video Support — a variant of VAR utilized in other sports — was suggested by Professional Game Match Officials during the EFL’s annual meeting in March.
FVS would allow managers two reviews per match, with the referee receiving various camera angles at a monitor located at the pitch’s side. A successful review would be retained by the manager.
Nonetheless, the proposal faced opposition from the majority of clubs following a subsequent EFL survey.
“After a recent consultation with Clubs, the League can confirm that there will be no implementation of additional technology to assist Match Officials in the @SkyBetChamp for the 2026/27 season,” the EFL stated.
“The consultation revealed that a considerable majority of Clubs in the division did not support the introduction of a Football Video Support ‘challenge’ system.
“The use of Goal Line Technology — which has been in place in the division since the 2017/18 season — will persist.”
VAR was adopted in the Premier League in 2019, but it is not employed in the EFL, which consists of 72 clubs across the Championship, League One, and League Two.
A recent survey conducted by the Football Supporters’ Association indicated that three-quarters of top-flight fans opposed its implementation.
Nearly 8,000 supporters participated in the poll, with just over half attending more than 15 home games each season, to evaluate opinions on the technology.
The findings highlighted its unpopularity, with over 97% of respondents rejecting the notion that VAR enhances the enjoyment of watching football, while more than 90% disagreed that it has improved the matchgoing experience.
When asked about their support for VAR in football, 75.71% indicated they do not support it, with over 70% disagreeing that it has enhanced the overall accuracy of refereeing decisions. Additionally, more than 90% stated that the technology has diminished the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations.
PA contributed to this report.
