Football – video evidence: The error lies in the VAR system

The second round of the DFB Cup has developed into an oasis for purists and technology skeptics, because even in duels between Bundesliga clubs, no one has to fear the referee’s sign drawn in the air. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Cologne cellar is silent: no checks, no doubts when celebrating the goal. And hardly anyone has the feeling that this could be unfair – because the seven years of the Bundesliga with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) have completely demystified the technology. “The implementation of the VAR lost me,” says Eintracht Frankfurt’s board spokesman Axel Hellmann, for example, “the video evidence is at a dead end.”

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Technology and people

The many errors, constantly new interpretation requirements, unclear intervention thresholds and increasing confusion even after many years have long since damaged the game’s attractiveness. The former world-class referee Urs Meier draws a comparison to the airbag in a car: “If it goes off correctly seven times in ten accidents and wrong three times, then I can also play Russian Roulette.” Such a flawed technology “would have either been taken off the market in the private sector or improved so that it works,” says Meier. The Swiss are no longer surprised by the dysfunctionality of collaboration between technology and people. Because the way VAR is currently used, it creates a distorted picture of reality.

“It’s damn difficult to work with these images,” says Meier. »The people in the Cologne basement are under incredible pressure, the speed of the images played is often different, the distances are difficult to estimate, and sometimes situations are incomplete. And if you watch it five times, you initially think: No, you don’t have to whistle that, but you look for arguments and then something solidifies.” The error lies in the system: the work of the video assistants has become decoupled from the actual game. You no longer follow the game and its story, which is essential for making good decisions. You’re stuck looking at and reviewing individual scenes.

Video Support als Alternative

Peter Knäbel, former board member of FC Schalke, once compared the work of the VAR to the work of department store detectives who are constantly on the lookout for crimes, driven by the fear of overlooking something. This is one of the reasons why fundamental changes are currently being considered: the concept with the so-called Video Support (VS), which was tested in September at the U20 Women’s World Cup and will soon be used in the third Italian league, could become a serious alternative . As with the “challenges” in hockey or American football, the coaches have the opportunity to have two to three scenes checked per game. Checks are only carried out when requested, and it would be clear which possible violation of the rules should be investigated. “If this constant search for little things that no one notices on the pitch or in the stadium stops, that would be in the spirit of football,” says Meier.

Since the introduction of VAR, refereeing has been characterized by hesitation, which has a negative impact on performance.

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If a trainer were to have a situation checked, it would take place calmly, without any time pressure – an enormous relief. “The supreme discipline would be if the images that the referee looks at on the monitor could also be seen on the scoreboard and the referee would explain on the basis of which arguments a penalty will be given or not,” says Meier.

And in Meier’s eyes, the VS still has a decisive advantage: Since the introduction of video evidence, “the referees no longer take full responsibility,” he says. »Referees used to walk over the high wire and had no safety net. Today they walk the high wire and know: If we didn’t see something, then the VAR intervenes.” Therefore, “this absolute consistency” and also the willingness to “sprint through the last five meters, fight for the best view” are missing to have all the scenes«. Since the introduction of VAR, refereeing has been characterized by hesitation, which has a negative impact on performance.

Greater transparency

The DFB is now also open to fundamental adjustments. Jochen Drees, the head of innovation responsible for video evidence, says: “If the okay came from Fifa, then we here in Germany would be able to implement video support very quickly.” Although Drees warns against expectations that are too high: “The Challenge is not a panacea.” There would be fewer interruptions, greater transparency and smaller leagues such as the women’s Bundesliga could also take part because the referees could watch the scenes themselves on the sidelines and would not have to consult colleagues in the Cologne basement. But human mistakes would still happen.

Another big annoyance would also remain: the spectators in the stadium, whose cheering by the VAR is almost always accompanied by a feeling of doubt because there is a risk of a review at any time, would also have to contact the “video support” before the original decision is corrected fear. Because the detective work from which the Cologne cellar would be freed would then take place in the dugout after every goal. Hoping to find some approach to a challenge.