Niko Kovač Addresses VAR Challenges Ahead of Bundesliga Match

omidbasir- Ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga match against Mainz on Friday, Niko Kovač addressed the persistent challenges associated with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

“It’s a complex issue,” Kovač remarked during a press conference on Wednesday. “The current pressure placed on referees is exceptionally high, complicating the situation further.”

Expounding on the matter, Kovač stated, “The most significant problem is the absence of a shared understanding among all parties involved.”

Matchday 21 recently faced scrutiny due to contentious refereeing choices. Referee Patrick Ittrich awarded a penalty to Mainz against Augsburg after observing contact between Stefan Bell and Elvis Rexhbeçaj. However, as reported by Ruhr24, despite a VAR review and inconclusive footage, Ittrich’s decision remained unchanged. He later conceded that “his perception was not validated.”

Discussing the implications of VAR in greater detail, Kovač emphasized, “Ideally, no matter who is in the VAR booth, the decisions should remain consistent.

“One week you find yourself frustrated by a missed call, only to have a different outcome the following week, leaving everyone perplexed about the rules of the game.”