German Fans Plan Weekend Protests to Demand End to VAR
The DFB left first-round Cup ties VAR-free because lower-league hosts lack the necessary infrastructure, with VAR due to return in the second round under a narrowed remit that adds wrong-player and some second-yellow corrections.
Overview
- Supporter groups from clubs across Germany have organised protests for the DFB‑Pokal first‑round weekend to press for the permanent abolition of VAR even though the matches will not use video review this round.
- First‑round ties are VAR‑free because German Cup rules give lower‑league clubs home matches and those venues often lack the cameras and wiring required to run the system.
- The DFB will reintroduce VAR from the men's second round rather than the previous round of 16, and the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga will continue to use VAR in league play.
- For the new season VAR’s scope will be limited to clear errors while being expanded to allow corrections for wrong‑player bookings and clearly incorrect second‑yellow red cards, with corner decisions remaining excluded.
- Refereeing officials including Benjamin Schmedes and Jochen Drees stress faster, rarer interventions to restore game flow, and the weekend protests could increase pressure on German and European bodies to push further limits or changes to VAR policy.