Overview
- Former FIFA referee Markus Merk warns that referees’ decision-making is declining and labels heavy reliance on VAR a major problem, calling for improved training and restored on-field authority.
- Merk rejects introducing VAR before the DFB-Pokal round of 16, arguing the system was intended as a backup and that firmer decisions on the pitch would reduce stoppages and errors.
- Former Swiss referee Urs Meier says video assistance is making officials worse and urges education that equips German referees to manage matches without VAR.
- ZDF analyst Thorsten Kinhöfer urges the DFB to add VAR from the second round, citing a missed offside in Dortmund–Frankfurt and acknowledging logistical hurdles for the first round.
- The second round produced multiple uncorrected mistakes without VAR, including a missed offside benefiting Bayern against Köln and contentious penalties in three other ties, drawing criticism and split reactions from club executives.