Video Support Protocol

1. Principles

The referees make use of video support (VS) when a team’s head coach (or, in the head coach’s absence, a designated team official as stipulated on the team list) challenges a decision in relation to the following situations:

1. Goal/no goal

2. Penalty/no penalty

3. Direct red cards (not second cautions)

4. Mistaken identity

In addition, VS can be used at the referees’ discretion when there is a disagreement between the two referees regarding an incident in one of the above-mentioned categories.

VS can also be used at the referees’ discretion in the following situations:

5. If the chronometer malfunctions

6. If the chronometer is incorrectly (re)started/stopped by the timekeeper pursuant to

the provisions of Laws 6 and 7

7. To verify whether a goal has been scored

8. To verify whether the ball entered the goal before the acoustic signal at the end of a

period (notwithstanding the exception of periods extended to allow the completion of penalty kicks or direct free kicks beginning with the sixth accumulated foul (DFKSAFs))

A successful challenge means that the referees’ initial decision is changed, while an unsuccessful challenge means that the initial decision is confirmed. The initial decision does not change unless the replay footage shows that a “clear and obvious error” was committed or a “serious missed incident” occurred.

There is no limit on the number of successful challenges available to each team.

In addition, each team is allowed one unsuccessful challenge in each half of the match. Challenges not used during the first half of the match cannot be carried forward into the second half.

If extra time is played to determine the winners of the match, each team is allowed an additional unsuccessful challenge during extra time. Challenges not used during the second half of the match cannot be carried forward into extra time.

If penalties (penalty shoot-out) are taken to determine the winners of the match, each team is allowed an additional unsuccessful challenge during penalties (penalty shoot-out). Challenges not used during the match cannot be carried forward into penalties (penalty shoot-out).

Once a timeout has been granted, challenges cannot be used in relation to incidents that took place prior to the timeout.

The referees will review the replay footage directly (referees’ review – RR) and the referee will make the final decision.

The referees must remain “visible” during the RR to ensure transparency.

If play continues after an incident that is then reviewed, any disciplinary action taken/required during the post-incident period is not cancelled, even if the initial decision is changed (except a caution for stopping or interfering with a promising attack or a sending-off for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO)).

The period of play before and after an incident that can be reviewed is determined by this protocol.

2. Reviewable decisions/incidents

The categories of decision/incident that can be reviewed through a challenge are:

1. Goals

1.1 Attacking-team offence in the build-up to or scoring of the goal (e.g. handball,

foul, etc.)

1.2 Ball out of play prior to the goal

1.3 Goal/no goal situations

2. Penalty-area incidents

2.1 Penalty-kick offence not penalised

2.2 Penalty kick incorrectly awarded

2.3 Attacking-team offence in the build-up to the penalty incident (e.g. handball,

foul, etc.)

2.4 Location of the offence (inside or outside the penalty area)

2.5 Ball out of play prior to the incident

3. Direct red cards (not second cautions)

3.1 DOGSO

3.2 Serious foul play

3.3 Violent conduct, biting or spitting at another person

3.4 Offensive, insulting or abusive action(s)

4. Mistaken identity (red or yellow cards)

If the referees penalise an offence and then give the wrong player from the offending (penalised) team a yellow or red card, the identity of the offender can be reviewed; the offence itself cannot be reviewed unless it relates to a goal, penalty incident or direct red card.

VS can also be used at the referees’ discretion when there is a disagreement between the two referees regarding an incident in one of the above-mentioned categories and in relation to the following incidents:

1. If the chronometer malfunctions, to determine how the time should be corrected

2. If the chronometer is incorrectly (re)started/stopped by the timekeeper pursuant to

the provisions of Laws 6 and 7

3. To verify whether a goal has been scored

4. To verify whether the ball entered the goal before the acoustic signal at the end of a

period (notwithstanding the exception of periods extended to allow the completion of penalty kicks or DFKSAFs)

3. Practicalities

The use of VS during a futsal match involves the following practical arrangements:

1. In principle, the cameras to be used should be able to cover the whole pitch, the

main clock, the goals and both penalty areas. This means that at least one camera covering the whole pitch must be used, and it is recommended that separate cameras be used for each penalty area (including a camera for each end line, with a focus on the goal line) and for the main clock.

2. The replay operator (RO) has independent access to, and replay control of, all TV

broadcast footage.

3. The referee review area (RRA) is where the referees review the replay footage before

the final decision is made. It must be located close to the pitch and its location must be clearly identified.

4. Two monitors must be available within the RRA:

• One monitor for the RO, who assists the referees during the review of the replay footage
• One monitor facing the pitch for the referees to review the replay footage

5. The RO assists the referees during the review by showing the footage as requested

by the referees (e.g. different camera angles, adjusting the replay speed, etc.) on the referees’ monitor.

6. The RO must undergo special training, including familiarisation with the Futsal

Laws of the Game, and obtain the necessary certification.

7. If the technology malfunctions and there is no approved spare equipment available,

VS cannot be used. Both teams must be informed immediately.

8. As certification is required to serve as an RO, an RO who is unable to start or

continue the match may only be replaced by someone who is qualified for the role. If no qualified replacement can be found, the match must be played/continue without the use of VS and both teams must be informed immediately.

4. Procedure

Initial decision

The referees must always make an initial decision (including taking any disciplinary action needed) as if there were no VS (except for serious missed incidents).

Challenge or decision by the referees to perform a review

1. To challenge a decision, the head coach (or, in their absence, a designated team

official as stipulated on the team list) must immediately:

• twirl their finger in the air; and
• inform the third or fourth referee of their request for a review.

2. The third or fourth referee will inform the referees of the challenge via the

communication system and by raising a “paddle”.

3. Alternatively, where applicable, the referees may decide to perform a review at their

own discretion.

4. If play has already stopped, the referees delay the restart to perform the review.

5. If play has not already stopped, the referees stop play when the ball is in a neutral

zone/situation, i.e. when neither team has a good attacking opportunity.

6. In all cases, the referees must indicate that a review will take place by clearly

showing the “TV signal” (outline of a TV screen).

Review

1. The referees go to the RRA to view replay footage. The review will be performed by

both referees, but the referee will make the final decision.

2. During the RR, the other match officials will supervise what is happening on the

pitch and within the technical area.

3. Players, substitutes or team officials who enter the RRA or try to influence the RR or

the final decision will be cautioned.

4. The referees can request different camera angles/replay speeds but, in general,

slow-motion replays should only be used for facts, e.g. the position of an offence or player, the point of contact for physical offences and handball, or whether the ball was out of play (including in goal/no goal situations); normal speed should be used for the intensity of an offence or to decide if it was a handball offence.

5. For decisions/incidents relating to goals, penalty/no penalty and red cards for

DOGSO, it may be necessary to review the attacking phase of play (APP) that led directly to the decision/incident; this may include how the attacking team gained possession of the ball in open play.

6. For other red-card offences (serious foul play or violent conduct), chronometer

incidents and mistaken identity, only the incident is reviewed.

7. The Futsal Laws of the Game do not allow restart decisions to be changed if play

has restarted. However, for the purposes of the VS system, following an immediate challenge, an incident can still be reviewed, and the initial decision changed, even if play has already restarted.

8. The review process should be completed as efficiently as possible, but the

accuracy of the final decision is more important than speed. For this reason, and because some situations are complex, with several reviewable decisions/incidents, there is no time limit for the review process.

Final decision and restart

1. The referee is the only person who can make the final decision.

2. When the RR is complete, the referee must show the TV signal and communicate

the final decision in front of the timekeeper’s table and, if necessary, to both teams’ head coaches; competitions may also implement a system in which the referee publicly explains and announces decisions following an RR.

3. The referee will then take/change/rescind any disciplinary action (where

appropriate) and restart play in accordance with the Futsal Laws of the Game.

4. If the initial decision is overturned, or a serious missed incident is identified, play will

restart in accordance with the Futsal Laws of the Game.

5. If the initial decision is not overturned, play will restart:

• according to the initial decision if play had already stopped; or
• with a dropped ball if play was stopped by the referees to perform the RR.

6. If the initial decision is overturned, or a serious missed incident is identified, the time

when the incident occurred is relevant. The referee must inform the timekeeper of the correct time so that the chronometer can be adjusted.

7. If the RR relates to a chronometer incident, the referee must inform the timekeeper

of the correct time so that the chronometer can be adjusted.

8. Once the referees are ready to restart the match, the timekeeper can restart the

chronometer from the newly adjusted time.

Match validity

In principle, a match is not invalidated because of one or more:

1. malfunctions of the technology;

2. wrong decisions involving VS;

3. decisions not to review an incident; or

4. reviews of a non-reviewable situation.