Even five years after its introduction, video evidence has had a difficult time with football fans. The organized fan scene complained above all about the loss of emotions when celebrating a goal.
The majority of the organized fan scene still rejects video evidence five years after it was introduced in the Bundesliga.
“A large part is very clearly against the video evidence,” said spokesman Sig Zelt from the ProFans alliance of the German Press Agency: “The small gain in more justice is disproportionate to the loss of emotions.” The delayed goal celebration makes the sport “much less attractive” for the spectators.
The chairwoman Helen Breit of the fan organization Our Curve also thinks that the introduction of the video referee (VAR) for the 2017/18 season was a mistake. “Our opinion is unanimous: we can do without the video evidence,” said Breit, explaining: “It’s incomprehensible in the stadium and destroys the emotions when celebrating a goal.”
Breit: “A lot of interpretation”
According to Zelt, the question of justice would only “shift to other levels” through the VAR – for example in the discussion of whether intervention is justified or not. Breit also misses the promised clearer decision picture, “it’s still a lot of interpretation”.
The fan representatives welcome the idea of making video reviews of controversial decisions in the stadium more visible. “Everything that produces more information and transparency is good,” said Breit. The fact that some clubs object, saying they don’t want to heat up the atmosphere in the stadium unnecessarily, is characteristic of Zelt: “It’s a good example of the disenfranchisement of the spectators.”
In general, there seems to be no more hope in the organized fan scene for a turnaround in video evidence. “I’m afraid there is no way back,” said Zelt, justifying this with the advanced “capital protection in professional football”. However, Breit emphasized: “We are happy to help turn the wheel back on.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
