Video review continues to spark debate in German soccer—and now resistance is mounting in the stands. The FC Bayern Südkurve, along with other fan groups, is speaking out strongly against VAR and is organizing a joint petition.
Opposition to video review in German soccer continues to gain momentum. Various fan groups across Germany are calling for the abolition of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup. As reported by the AZ, FC Bayern’s Südkurve is also participating in the initiative and calling on supporters to show their support.
The fan groups view video review as an intrusion into the original form of soccer. They point to the first round of the DFB Cup in particular as an example of what the sport should look like from their perspective.
Fans Call for the Abolition of VAR
“In the first round of the DFB Cup, which is about to begin, we will experience soccer the way it should be played: without VAR—and thus authentic, immediate, and full of emotion,” the joint statement reads.
The demand is then made in no uncertain terms: “We want to return to this state permanently and therefore call for the abolition of the video assistant referee in German soccer.”
Thus, the protest is not directed exclusively at individual decisions or missteps in the use of VAR. The fan groups are questioning the entire system and want to return, as a matter of principle, to match officiating without video review.
Südkurve Releases Statement
FC Bayern’s Südkurve distributed the statement via email to supporters, providing further background on the initiative. According to the statement, the protest from the stands could potentially receive support from the clubs.
“There are currently rumors that some club officials are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with VAR and would even be willing to submit a request to the DFB to completely abolish video review or at least significantly limit its use,” the statement reads.
Should clubs actually take such steps, the fans want to back them up. The fan groups want to make it clear that the abolition—or at least a significant restriction—of VAR is also supported by a portion of the fan base.
Clubs are also voicing criticism
FC Augsburg is the latest Bundesliga club to publicly voice criticism of video review. Managing Director Michael Ströll spoke out against the current use of VAR, demonstrating that the discussion is no longer confined exclusively to fan circles.
Meanwhile, the Südkurve is taking it a step further by offering recipients of its email the opportunity to sign the joint statement. This is intended to lend additional weight to the initiative.
It remains to be seen whether the campaign can actually influence decision-makers at the DFB and the Bundesliga clubs. One thing is clear, however: the protest against VAR is gaining an increasingly larger platform—and Bayern fans are playing a central role in it.