German Soccer League Trials Referee Announcements for VAR Decisions

The Bundesliga will test in-stadium explanations of video review rulings to improve transparency and fan understanding.

The German Football League (DFL) has launched a pilot program where referees will announce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions to fans via stadium loudspeakers.
Nine clubs across Germany's top two leagues, including Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, have volunteered to participate in the trial.
The first public announcements will take place during five selected matches this weekend, starting with Fortuna Düsseldorf’s home game on Saturday.
Referees will use headset microphones to communicate only the final VAR ruling, not the deliberations leading to the decision.
The initiative follows similar trials in other sports and aims to address fan concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding VAR decisions.