- Augsburg legal expert advocates for contesting the validity of video proof
The football manager of FC Augsburg, Marinko Jurendic, has sparked discussions about the VAR system again, right as the Bundesliga season got underway. After their 2:2 tie against Werder Bremen, the Augsburg squad was firm that a definite handball infraction wasn't called, despite Sascha Stegemann, the referee, checking the video evidence.
Jurendic emphasized, "We can't avoid talking about the entire rulebook." The 46-year-old also suggested a remedy: "I'd like the option to challenge, allowing for a review. We're working on it." In other sports, officials or players can dispute a referee's call and ask for a review, but only with a limited number of challenges.
Maintaining the referee's power
Jurendic isn't aiming to undermine the referee's power over the game. "It's about keeping the referee's power; they must be the final decision-makers. But it's quite complicated: for us (the team), it's crucial, while for the referee, it's just a mistake. We need to consider this."
The Augsburg squad felt they lost out on two points due to the not-called penalty when the score was 2:2. "The player attempts to clear the ball, and his hand is extended," Jurendic explained the situation involving Anthony Jung from Werder Bremen.
Stegemann acknowledged that the ball hit Jung's hand within the penalty area but insisted it wasn't deliberate. The referee explained his call to Sky TV: "He's trying to kick the ball with his foot, and his arm moves like a hurdler's. There's no intention to block the ball with his hand."
During a post-match interview, Jurendic expressed his thoughts on the refereeing in Bavaria, saying, "We've had similar situations in Bavaria as well, and it's important to address these issues." Moreover, he mentioned that Augsburg's home match against Bayern Munich this season could potentially be another test for the VAR system.
