German football supporter groups have launched a coordinated campaign calling for the complete abolition of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal. Bayern Munich‘s Südkurve is helping to drive the initiative, which has already attracted public backing from at least one Bundesliga club executive.
The fan coalition published a statement highlighting the ongoing DFB Pokal first round as proof of how football should operate. These fixtures proceed without video review, which the supporters describe as producing experiences that are authentic, immediate and full of emotion. The groups argue that this environment should become permanent across all German domestic competitions.
According to communications from the Bayern fan group, rumours suggest several club executives have grown dissatisfied with VAR’s impact on the game. They indicate that some officials would be prepared to advance formal proposals to the governing body either to abolish the technology entirely or significantly restrict its use. The supporter groups want to provide political backing to any officials willing to take this step.
FC Augsburg managing director Michael Ströll has already spoken publicly against the system, lending credibility to the campaign among professional clubs. The Südkurve circulated the abolition statement through email channels, inviting recipients to register their support by signing the document.
The movement presents a serious challenge to the video review technology that German football introduced several seasons ago. While VAR was designed to eliminate clear refereeing errors, it has faced persistent criticism from match-going supporters for disrupting rhythm, extending stoppages and diluting the raw emotion of key moments.
The campaigners point to the current DFB Pokal early rounds as a natural experiment, noting that matches function effectively without constant video checks. If club executives follow through with a formal motion, it could force a binding vote on VAR’s future in the Bundesliga. The fan groups appear to be mobilising rapidly to demonstrate substantial backing for such a decisive change.