Prepare for a shift in the German soccer scene! Long-time referee and FIFA veteran, Knut Kircher, has been appointed as the new leader of refereeing at the DFB, following Lutz Michael Fröhlich's decision not to renew his contract. Instead of taking over in July 2024, Kircher will step into the role six months earlier, on July 1, 2023.
Kircher boasts an impressive resume as a referee, having overseen 244 Bundesliga matches between 2001 and 2016, and serving as a FIFA referee from 2004 to 2012. After his playing days ended, Kircher shifted gears to become a referee observer, maintaining his involvement in the sport at the elite level.
As the new Managing Director of DFB Schiri GmbH, Kircher will inherit Fröhlich's responsibilities, managing and overseeing refereeing operations in Germany. One significant project under his leadership involves increasing transparency in refereeing decisions by making public announcements during matches.
Introduced by Kircher, the pilot project aims to give fans and viewers better understanding of referee decisions, even during live broadcasts. While the video assistant referee (VAR) system has been a topic of controversy, Kircher remains committed to ensuring transparency in all refereeing decisions.
Enhancing Referee Transparency
In collaboration with the DFL Football Commission, Kut Kircher leads a pilot project to boost refereeing decision transparency in German soccer. Key aspects of this project include:
- Goal: Enhance refereeing decision transparency for both stadium spectators and television viewers, by sharing the reasons behind VAR interventions and final decisions.
- Implementation: Referees communicate decisions through stadium loudspeakers during pitch-side monitor reviews and during VAR-triggered interventions.
- Participants: Nine Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have volunteered for the test phase – FC Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, SC Freiburg, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Fortuna Düsseldorf, SpVgg Greuther Fürth, and FC St. Pauli.
- Debut: The pilot project was initially tested on Matchday 20 of both leagues, featuring matches such as Fortuna Düsseldorf vs. SSV Ulm 1846, FC Bayern München vs. Holstein Kiel, and Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. TSG Hoffenheim.
The project's main targets include:
- Transparency: Provide more insight into referee decision-making processes, helping fans develop a deeper understanding of the game.
- Fan Familiarity: Ensure television viewers also benefit from this heightened transparency, fostering familiarity with the processes.
- Improve Understanding: Encourage referees to make their announcements thoughtfully while training them to discern appropriate scenarios for announcing decisions.
- Integration with Media: Incorporate announcements into live broadcasts, ensuring media partners' viewers can appreciate this increased transparency.
Managerial Perspectives
According to DFL Director of Match Operations & Fans, Ansgar Schwenken, this test phase aims to further boost refereeing decision transparency, enhancing spectators' overall understanding. Kircher, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of ensuring more clarity through referee announcements.
As Kircher transitions into his new role, fans and players alike keenly anticipate his contributions to German soccer. This pilot project represents a significant step towards enhancing refereeing decision transparency, ultimately improving the overall matchday experience for the fans.
