Overview
- Knut Kircher said a low-cost option using standard TV feeds to correct clear mistakes is a possible path for the opening Pokal rounds, though it still needs buy-in from FIFA, competition organizers and clubs.
- The debate intensified after several missed calls without VAR, including Luis Díaz’s allowed offside equalizer for Bayern in Cologne and disputed incidents in Dortmund, HSV and Hertha matches.
- Full VAR and goal-line technology average about €20,000 per Bundesliga and 2. Liga game according to BILD’s breakdown of roughly €11 million in tech costs plus over €1 million for personnel.
- Financing and infrastructure at non-DFL hosts remain the key hurdles, with smaller venues sometimes lacking the camera setup or requiring construction work that pushes costs higher.
- Suggestions for a cheaper stopgap include an additional official or the fourth official reviewing broadcast images, with reported extra costs around €2,400, while pundits press for either uniform VAR across the cup or sharper on-field officiating.