No more endless waiting for VAR: Bundesliga introduces new technology to speed up decision-making.

The German Football League will implement semi-automated offside technology starting next season, as confirmed by Knut Kircher, head of referees for the German Football Association, in an interview with Kicker magazine.

This system is designed to speed up offside decisions significantly compared to the current video assistant referee (VAR) review process.

The technology was previously used at the 2022 World Cup and in UEFA competitions, including last summer’s European Championship in Germany and the Champions League. The English Premier League also adopted it this season. It operates using a camera system installed in the stadium and a sensor inside the ball, providing instant data to the video referee, who then relays the decision to the on-field official.

The goal is to reduce the time spent reviewing offside calls by an average of 30 seconds. At the World Cup, 12 cameras positioned under the stadium roof and a ball sensor transmitted real-time data to the video center, allowing the VAR to communicate the decision instantly.

Additionally, the German league is prepared to test a system that would allow referees to announce video review decisions publicly via stadium screens.

“We are in intense discussions and evaluating everything carefully. If necessary, we could launch a pilot phase in the second half of the season. However, we must wait for FIFA’s approval to ensure the technology functions correctly. It’s also crucial that key images are displayed immediately, not three minutes later,” Kircher stated.

Despite these advancements, Kircher remains skeptical about introducing a limited number of coach’s challenges per half or match.

“A challenge system creates unrealistic expectations, suggesting that every review should overturn a decision. While challenges exist in other sports, and perhaps football will adopt them in the future, it’s not something we are considering at the moment,” he added.