Is video review coming to the 3rd Division? There could be a scaled-down version. Forecasting wanted to know what you think. Here are the reactions.
The discussions surrounding video review are at least as old as video review itself. In its current form, video review has been in use in the Bundesliga since the 2017–18 season and in the 2. Liga since the 2019–20 season. Since then, adjustments have been made time and again.
Since then, there have been discussions about the merits and drawbacks of the video assistant referee (VAR)—when it’s allowed to intervene and when it isn’t, and why it assesses situations the way it does.
Opinions are divided: Some users welcome the idea, with the “challenge” model in particular finding favor. “Take a look at field hockey. In that sport, players can request video review. If they’re right, the team retains the right to request it again. If they’re wrong, that right is lost,” writes Facebook user “Lars Christian.”
“Thorsten Willner” adds: “That’s exactly how I would have introduced it anyway. Every coach would have three chances to have the VAR review something.” “Steffen Bonnekamp Gött” even sees this as the “model of the future,” as he writes: “This is the model of the future! Sure, there will still be ‘wrong’ decisions that spark debate, but this sometimes arbitrary use of VAR will finally be a thing of the past.”
In fact, it’s primarily this arbitrariness that has repeatedly caused discontent in the top two leagues. In particular, situations that weren’t reviewed—even though video evidence was available—have repeatedly sparked debate.
And that’s a point of criticism from the community. “No, thanks! I’d rather have a few wrong calls than arbitrary ones,” writes “lenny21_” on Instagram.
Another point of criticism: the long stoppages and the loss of excitement. Many users, such as “Norbert Lohbusch,” take issue with this. He writes: “Soccer has always thrived on excitement and bad calls, which, however, always evened out over the course of a season. What great games those were, when wrong calls had the fans on the edge of their seats and the atmosphere really exploded. But after 93 minutes at most, everything was forgotten. That’s what made soccer what it was. Not like today. When a goal is scored, you have to wait five minutes to see if you’re allowed to celebrate or not. But of course, everyone has a different opinion on this. Personally, I’m against VAR.“
”Jörg Lukowski“ agrees: “Even more interruptions,” he writes meaningfully. ”Jörg Siebers” fears: “Then the game will be constantly interrupted because some coach has something to complain about.” That probably wouldn’t be a concern, because coaches would likely lose the right to challenge after making an incorrect challenge and would no longer be able to request VAR. So they’d probably think carefully about when to call on VAR.
“Video review in general is harmful to this sport. Wrong calls are just as much a part of it as bad passes. Who would still be talking about Wembley or the ‘Hand of God’ today if VAR had intervened? But it’s all about money—and for that, even the soul of soccer is being sold off bit by bit,” says “Thomas Schiff.” Probably no one. But in the age of technology, there likely won’t be a second “Hand of God.” Probably not even in the 3rd League anymore.