For the first time, referees in the field were able to consult the screen to correct decisions. The video debut in Germany showed weaknesses. In the DFL Supercup between FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, the technology crashed.
“The calibrated lines, which are normally available to the video assistant in off-court decisions and support him, were not yet available due to technical problems in the first half,” said the DFB and the German Football League (DFL) in a joint statement.
The DFB and DFL said: “After studying all the available camera positions, including still images, video assistant Tobias Stieler decided that there was no offside before the Munich goal that tied the game to 1:1, so there was no reason for him to intervene.”
Helmut Krug defends video-refereeing debut
Helmut Krug is in charge of refereeing at DFB. Krug told DFB.de: “Even if some decisions in the public are debated a little, it is important that the refereeing decisions were ultimately all correct. It was also correct not to call offside before the goal that made that tied the game. The player Kimmich was not offside, even if it was a close call. For this reason, the video assistant did not intervene in this scene. ”
Krug continued: “Unfortunately, the corresponding TV pictures could only be viewed after the game, but they did show that the decisions were correct. We have always pointed out in the preparation phase that the initial phase of the VA project could have minor issues. We will do our utmost to make sure that all problems are solved by the start of the Bundesliga season on 18 August and everything will be ready on the first day. Nevertheless, as the premiere shows, there are still discussions about the right refereeing decisions. ”
In the MLS, video review was also used for the first time. The match: Philadelphia Union against FC Dallas. After Maxi Urruti scored a goal for FC Dallas, the Video Assistant Reffing system corrected the decision. The video-referee found a previously overlooked foul on Union goalkeeper John McCarthy.
The first soccer league in the world to test VAR was the Australian A-League, which test launched it in April. The first big discussions took place at this year’s Confed Cup. The world premier of VAR was at the cup match between Ajax Amsterdam and Willem II in 2016.
