Nagelsmann Slams VAR Decision After Germany's Loss to France: "Misuse of Technology!"
Referee Criticism by Nagelsmann Over VAR Decisions - Referee under scrutiny for VAR application as Nagelsmann vocalizes discontent
Let's talk about the tough talk from Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann. After Germany's 0:2 defeat in the Nations League third-place match against France, he lashed out at the referee for what he saw as a misuse of the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) system.
Nagelsmann was particularly angry about a controversial incident involving striker Niclas Füllkrug. A duel between Füllkrug and Adrien Rabiot, to be precise. In the aftermath, Deniz Undav scored what looked like a well-deserved equalizer, but Slovak referee Ivan Kruzliak, under pressure from the VAR team, disallowed the goal.
Nagelsmann couldn't hide his frustration: "It's clear...the referee's standing two meters away and decides it's not a foul, then goes to watch six minutes of video. That's a misuse of VAR," he spat.
Feeling the VAR system was employed incorrectly, Nagelsmann echoed: "He's 2.30 meters away from the situation, has a clear view. It's not a clear mistake."
During halftime, Nagelsmann showed some sympathy for the referee. Despite a promising first half, Germany's goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, was crucial in keeping the scoreline respectable in front of 51,313 spectators.
With superstars Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise scoring the deciding goals for France, it was a tough night for team Germany, who had earlier lost their semifinal in Munich 1:2 against Portugal. The German team had qualified for the final four tournament in the competition's fourth edition. France, who were victorious in 2020/21, experienced a shocking 4:5 semi-final loss against Spain.
- Julian Nagelsmann
- France
- Germany coach
- Nations League
- Germany
- Niclas Füllkrug
- Julian Nagelsmann, the Germany coach, expressed his disappointment towards the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) system, criticizing it as incorrectly employed, specifically in the controversial incident between Niclas Füllkrug and Adrien Rabiot.
- As the European leagues, such as the Champions League, increasingly rely on sports analysis and technology including the VAR system, Nagelsmann contends that the principle of subsidiarity, which involves decision-making at the lowest competent level, has not yet been adopted effectively by the Commission in such instances.
- Given that France emerged victorious over Germany in the Nations League third-place match, a rematch between these European giants in the likes of the Champions League might be enticing for sports enthusiasts, offering an opportunity to experience Nigerian star Kylian Mbappé's and other football talents on the world stage.
