There was once a time when 22 players took to the field alongside a referee, two linesmen and a fourth official between two managers. Those days feel long gone, however, and what was once a routine game is now becoming increasingly complicated.

That said, as far as FIFA is concerned, there’s still space for some more fresh ideas with the introduction of purple and blue cards potentially on the horizon.

The problems behind VAR concern

If this was a popularity contest, then VAR would arguably be at the very bottom of the pile. The Video Assistant Referee has been at the centre of controversy ever since its arrival, whether in the Premier League, La Liga or elsewhere around Europe. Endless lines have been drawn over the years and whilst semi-automated offside calls should keep rulers in their drawers for the time being, the wait for many is still unbearable.

The technology has even received some criticism from referees. Former Premier League official Graham Scott went as far to say that working as part of the VAR team is “utterly unenjoyable” in a recent interview with talkSPORT.

“Off the field you can’t control anything and the noise now is insane. It’s almost unbearable and it becomes an extremely challenging role. Then, layering on top of that being VAR, as I’ve tried to convey in my piece, being a VAR is utterly unenjoyable.”

For the players, meanwhile, celebrations have often been interrupted, wonder goals have been ruled out and size 15 boots have been used to call the most marginal offside calls. Scott didn’t enjoy VAR in the Premier League and it’s hard to imagine a world in which the players are fans.

So, change must take place. Problems with how long VAR takes, how many decisions it scrutinises at every angle and other issues must change. Whether that should start with purple and blue cards is another question entirely, however.

FIFA to trial purple and blue cards

According to the BBC, FIFA is currently trialing the use of purple and blue cards which hand the managers the power to request decision reviews. In an attempt to replicate the system used in tennis, the cards are currently being tested at the U20 World Cup in Chile and other small tournaments.

Described as Football Video Support (FVS), the system is “cost-effective and stable”, according to FIFA, and has been introduced in leagues that cannot afford VAR such as Serie C and the Primera Federacion in Italy and Spain. Trials have taken place in the Italy Women’s Serie A as well as in Brazil since August, but the jury is still out.

The system hands both managers a card at the start of the match – one a purple card and one a blue card – and that card can only be used by them. Managers are then allowed to submit two requests per game. Like in tennis, if the decision is not changed despite their request then one of the cards will be lost. Meanwhile, if the request results in a decision change then the card will remain intact and can be used again.

To implement the card, managers must twirl a finger in the air – yes, really – and hand their card to a fourth official to make an official review request. All requests must come directly after the incident has taken place.

Whilst it’s hard to imagine the likes of Diego Simeone twirling their fingers in the air for this request, the idea itself could yet solve football’s VAR problem.