German league to test referees announcing VAR rulings to crowd

The German Football Association (DFL) is initiating a trial program where referees will clarify VAR rulings to stadium audiences via speakers starting on Saturday, the governing organization said in a release.

Nine teams have opted to join the initiative, including Bundesliga titleholders Bayer Leverkusen and frontrunners Bayern Munich, with the public declaration system set to debut in five games this weekend, the DFL announced on Monday.

The program aims to enhance clarity in officiating decisions, the DFL stated. The public declaration system was also employed in the English League Cup’s semi-finals earlier this month.

Second-division club Fortuna Dusseldorf’s home clash with SSV Ulm on Saturday will be the first fixture in Germany to incorporate the system, ahead of this weekend’s home matches for Bayern, St Pauli, Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Borussia Dortmund, Freiburg, RB Leipzig, and Greuther Fuerth are also included in the initiative.

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