German football fans are planning mass VAR protests this weekend after accusing the technology of "robbing the joy of football." The protest will coincide with the first round of the German Cup, which won't actually use VAR.
Competition rules dictate that lower league sides, which cannot accommodate the system, must play at home. Protesting fans say it means they will "see football as it should: without VAR and, therefore, authentic, immediate and full of excitement."
Fans call for abolition of VAR
The ambition of the protest is to rid German football of VAR. A fans' group statement, titled "VAR is robbing us of the joy of football," said: "Instead of spontaneous joy after a goal, there are now doubts about a possible review. VAR has destroyed the most emotional moment of the game.
"We want to return to that state permanently and are therefore calling for the abolition of Video Assistant Refereeing in German football."
The statement added: "While football thrives on intensity and rhythm, the flow of the game suffers significantly from protracted interruptions. We are also painfully aware that it has destroyed the game's most emotional moments.
"Even fans who were initially open to and positive about the innovation now acknowledge, after nine years, that VAR has fundamentally altered the character of the game."
VAR's expanded role this season
Sadly for the protesting fans, VAR is set for an even bigger role in top-tier games this season. As seen at the World Cup, the system can now be deployed to assess second yellow cards that have been awarded. However, the technology won't be used for potential second bookings that haven't been shown.
VAR will also be used to review whether a foul has been committed before the set-piece was taken. If a foul is spotted, the goal will be ruled out and the set-piece retaken.
It is unclear what form the protests will take but German fans have a track record for mobilising to challenge contentious issues in the game, like ticket prices, kick-off times and the deal between the Bundesliga and a private investment fund. Previous protests have seen tennis balls and chocolate coins thrown onto pitches.
First round fixtures
While the majority of first round matches take place this weekend, starting on Friday, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund won't play until next month as they face off in the German Super Cup on Saturday night. Bayern visit Osnabruck on September 2, while Dortmund travel to HEBC the day before.
