Groups of German club fans intend to organize widespread protests against the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in professional football, during the first round matches of the German Cup, the German News Agency has learned.
The “VAR” technology will not be used during the first round matches. Because the German Cup regulations automatically stipulate that matches will be held in the stadiums of lower division clubs, which do not have the necessary infrastructure to operate a video review system.
The use of the video assistant referee technology begins from the second round of the cup, after its previous use began from the round of sixteen. The technology will also continue to be used in the first and second divisions in Germany.
The duties of the video assistant referee technology are scheduled to be expanded in the new season in Germany, as it will be able to intervene in the event of a red card being shown after a player receives a second yellow card in an incorrect and clear manner.
The video assistant referee can also correct the referee’s decision if the card is shown to the wrong player, whether the card is yellow or red. However, unlike in the World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, decisions related to corner kicks will not be reviewed by VAR in Germany.
Uli Hoeneß, honorary president of the German club Bayern Munich, criticized Swiss Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), for his actions, especially during the recent World Cup.
Hoeness spoke about the incident of the suspension imposed on American striker Folarin Balogun, saying: “Mr. Infantino made some mistakes throughout his football career, but this was one of the biggest.”
Hoeneß, 74 years old, added in statements to the RTL and Sky networks today, Thursday: “If a man like Donald Trump is allowed to decide or influence whether a player should be punished or not, then this is the beginning of the end for sports.” If we accept something like this, this is no longer my sport. “For me, this is unacceptable.”
Balogun's suspension was lifted following a phone call made by US President Donald Trump, a decision that sparked widespread criticism in football circles.
The honorary president of Bayern Munich also criticized Infantino's plans to increase the number of teams participating in the World Cup, from the current 48 teams to 64 teams.
“We have already loaned our players for six weeks, and the period may extend to more than that,” Hoeneß said. "This is unbelievable."
Although he stressed his support for the participation of federations and smaller teams, Hoeneß stressed that “the World Cup must be a tournament for the elite, otherwise it will simply be a matter of increasing the number of television networks that pay for broadcast rights.” But something will be lost in the process: football itself.
At the end of last July, Hoeness refused to give a final opinion on Infantino’s method of work, and said at the time: “I already have a very strong opinion, but it is too early for me to announce it publicly.” But he has now decided to express his position frankly.
The entry of American billionaire Jeff Bezos into ownership of Liverpool was not just a passing investment, although it was initially announced as a deal to buy a minority stake in the English club.
Details that emerged later revealed that the consortium backed by the Amazon founder actually acquired about 38 percent of the club’s shares, with an option allowing it to acquire a controlling stake during the next 12 months.
The British BBC network revealed that Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool, had confirmed before the official announcement that the deal revolved around approximately a third of the club, before it became clear that the sold share was close to 40 percent. The difference in numbers raised questions within the club, especially since the ownership group usually does not disclose accurate ownership percentages.
The 1892 Holdings consortium, which bought the stake, includes British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and billionaire Eduardo Saverin, one of the founders of Facebook, in addition to Bezos’ investment. Despite his first entry into the world of sports club ownership, Bezos will not personally join Liverpool's board of directors.
On the other hand, Brian Baum, Bezos' business partner and founder of K5 Sports, through which the investment is made, will join the club's board of directors, along with Eileen Saverin, while Bhatia will serve as vice chairman of the board.
What is striking about the deal is not only the size of the current stake, but the presence of a clause granting the alliance the right to purchase a controlling stake within a year. This does not represent a formal commitment to complete the acquisition, but it opens the door for the partial investment to turn into a full or almost complete transfer of control of the club in the near future.
The value of Liverpool, according to the new deal, is between 5 and 6 billion pounds, compared to about 300 million pounds that Fenway Sports Group paid to buy the club in 2010. Thus, the value of the club increased more than 15 times over 16 years.
Sports finance expert Kieran Maguire told the BBC that the deal represents a huge gain for Fenway Sports Group, as the group will receive more than one billion pounds from the transaction, while retaining control of the club at the present time.
But the most important question remains: How long will this control last?
Fenway Sports Group believes that the entry of new investors is not related to financial investment only, but rather aims to expand Liverpool’s presence in the fields of business, technology and investment globally, especially in India and Asia. The effects of this partnership are expected to appear in the coming months.
On the other hand, the same period may bring more speculation about the future of club ownership, as there is a clear choice for the new alliance to transform from a minority partner to a controlling owner.
Thus, the Bezos deal does not mean his personal takeover of Liverpool, nor does it mean that Fenway has lost control of the club, but it represents an important change in the ownership structure, and it may be the first step towards a greater transfer of ownership of one of the most prominent English clubs.
