German Football League Calls Problems With VAR Technology Unacceptable

The German Football League (DFL) called the problems that hit Video Assistant Referee technology in the Bundesliga on Saturday "unacceptable," according to Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN.com. Technical difficulties "overshadowed the introduction of VAR, with video officials unable to contact their counterparts on the pitch." The DFL in a statement said, "Massive technical problems for service provider Hawkeye led to restrictions on the use of the video assistant at the 3.30 p.m. matches in the Bundesliga." On Monday, German magazine Kicker reported that there "had been no contact between the VAR official and the referee at Hamburg, while contact was made only sporadically at Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim." DFL officials said that "talks would be held with Hawkeye to discuss the problems." Saturday's technical problems came after a "successful use of VAR in Friday's season opener between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen" (ESPN.com, 8/22).