German Cup first round faces nationwide VAR protests

Fan groups across Germany are planning protests against the use of VAR in football, arguing that video technology has drained the sport of its emotion and calling for its abolition. The first round of the German Cup is scheduled to begin Friday without VAR, with 64 teams in action and matches set to proceed through the weekend into Monday. Organizers say the round should be played “without VAR” to preserve authenticity and the spontaneous flow of the game, while acknowledging the ongoing debate about VAR’s impact after nearly a decade. VAR will not be used in the first round but is expected to be introduced from the second round this season, amid broader fan activism in German football. The protests follow a history of disruptive fan actions in Germany and reflect concerns that technology changes have altered the game’s character and emotional moments. The issue has sparked coverage across multiple outlets, highlighting the potential for disruptions during the German Cup’s opening round as supporters push for VAR’s removal from German football.