Overview

• The DFB relayed IFAB’s guidance that video officials may act if a player unpenalizedly plays the ball twice on a restart and the ensuing attack leads to a goal or a penalty.
• Under the interpretation, the first contact on the restart begins the attacking phase, so a subsequent illegal touch by the same player counts as an offense within that phase.
• The clarification broadens reviewability for this specific restart scenario beyond the previously limited check of only the immediate pre-goal sequence.
• The update follows Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig, where Castello Lukeba misplayed a free kick and a Leipzig goal was overturned after Joshua Kimmich’s protest.
• The DFB affirmed the annulment was correct but said the VAR’s communicated reference did not match protocol, with VAR lead Jochen Drees citing greater fairness and legal certainty.