The Debate Over VAR Implementation in Germany’s 3. Liga

VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has become a contentious fixture in football, serving as both a lifesaver for teams and a source of frustration for fans. Since its inception, VAR has aimed to eliminate “clear and obvious” errors but often finds itself scrutinizing situations where human judgment might suffice.

This controversy has led some leagues, such as Norway’s Eliteserien, to forgo the implementation of VAR altogether.

In Germany, VAR is currently in place in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, with discussions underway regarding its introduction in the third division, the 3. Liga. According to reports from NRZ, club officials are set to deliberate on the system’s potential adoption in an upcoming meeting in February.

Should VAR be introduced to the 3. Liga, adaptations would be necessary to accommodate stadium limitations and the available personnel in the VAR room—often referred to as the “Cologne Basement,” where VAR officials are stationed.

One of the proposals set for discussion is a scaled-down version of VAR, known as the “coaches’ challenge.” This approach has been trialed in Italy’s third tier and was also utilized during the U17 World Cup in Qatar last November. Under this system, coaches would be permitted two challenges to contest specific decisions, such as goals, red cards, penalties, and cases of mistaken identity. Successful challenges would allow coaches to retain their remaining attempts.

Opinions among clubs in the 3. Liga vary regarding the implementation of VAR and its potential alternate formats.

SC Verl’s sporting director, Zlatko Janjic, expressed support for the initiative: “Referees from the first and second divisions have this tool, so it would be beneficial for referees in the third division.”

On the other hand, Michael Preetz from 2nd-placed MSV Duisburg recognized the merits of the proposal but cautioned about the financial implications: “The technical possibilities exist, but I question whether they can be implemented economically in the third division. Thus, considering alternative scenarios is certainly worthwhile.”

He further noted, “The emotional essence of the sport diminishes when one must wait four or five minutes for a final decision, detracting from the intensity that characterizes football.”

Conversely, FC Saarbrücken Chairman Jürgen Luginger was skeptical about the proposal: “A more cost-effective version offering a coach challenge seems limited in its effectiveness, and I doubt it would adequately address significant errors in judgment. Therefore, I advocate for either full implementation or none at all.”

Given the widespread adoption of VAR globally and within Germany’s top professional leagues, it appears inevitable that the 3. Liga will eventually incorporate some variation of the system.