New Shiri-Boss demands strictness from neutrals
New DFB Referee Chief Knut Kircher calls for consistency and clarity. Referees should make clear decisions on the field to minimize the use of VAR. Kircher also wants strict enforcement of the Anti-Meckering Rule.
New DFB Referee Chief Knut Kircher calls for strict and uniform implementation of the so-called Captains Rule - introduced as the Anti-Meckering Rule at the European Football Championship. Experienced referees who are respected should punish players who complain but are not team captains just as quickly with a Yellow Card as less experienced referees. "First comes consistency and consequences in implementation. Then comes personality," said the 55-year-old in an interview with "Kicker".
Kircher gave an example with referee Timo Gerach, who refereed his first Bundesliga game last year, and the more experienced colleagues Daniel Schlager and Deniz Aytekin. "Let's assume Timo Gerach shows a Yellow Card to a player who wants to complain but is not the captain. I'd say: great job. But if Daniel Schlager says: Just a moment, then there's a Yellow Card - I'd say: Daniel, no way. That's not consistent. And if Deniz Aytekin takes the player in his arms and smiles, saying: Young man, don't, next time it's unfortunately Yellow - I'd say: Deniz, don't."
The new rule states that only team captains can appeal to the referees about their decisions. The days of a group of players mobbing the referee are supposed to be over.
This rule was already applied during the European Championship and received many positive reactions. "I haven't met anyone who during the EM didn't say: Finally, these unsolicited meetings at the referee are over. But it also needs consequences for that," said Kircher. This rule now applies in Germany and in the Europa League.
Reducing VAR interventions is best
Regarding the VAR topic, Kircher also sees improvement potential - but not only in the much-cited "Cologne Cellar," where the referees sit in front of the monitors. "I see the greatest optimization potential in the decision quality on the field." He demanded: "The scenes in which the VAR needs to intervene at all should be reduced." And he added: "We want and need the best decisions and the corresponding courage to make them on the field - and not later the best error management."
Basically, Kircher questions the German VAR system without reservation. "Things are going well in this setup, I see no other necessities. Jochen continues to enjoy my trust," he said when asked about project manager Jochen Drees. Kircher is "sure that the process flows in terms of quality assurance will continue to tighten up. That means, in simple terms, that before a VAR intervention, we should simply repeat: What does it depend on, how do we define the tolerance areas and the intervention threshold?"
In this context, the former Bundesliga referee emphasized: "The referees on the field should also be subject to a constant quality control process. And it could be that we reduce the number of VARs to increase their frequency of use. The UEFA is also going more and more the way of specialization."
In light of these changes, the Video Judge plays a crucial role in ensuring consistency and accuracy when reviewing decisions made by the Referee in the Football-Bundesliga, adhering to the new guidelines. Kircher advocates for a reduction in VAR interventions, aiming for referees to make confident and clear decisions on the soccer field.
