Former Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge supports VAR, but wants improvements
The former FC Bayern president wants VAR to be better
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 28: Referee Sandro Schaerer awards a penalty to Paris Saint-Germain after a VAR check during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on April 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) | Getty Images There’s a new discussion every week in Europe surrounding VAR. In the Champions League semifinals against Paris Saint-Germain for Bayern Munich, there was huge controversy surrounding two handball decisions that massively impacted the result of PSG progressing to the final to take on Arsenal in Budapest.
In their pursuit of the Premier League title, Arsenal was again involved in a huge decision that disallowed a late West Ham United equalizer after VAR adjudged West Ham committing a foul on keeper David Raya. The decision took around five minutes to reach after viewing replays on the on-field monitor countless times and the decision tilts the title race in Arsenal’s favor over Manchester City, heightening level the criticism. For occasions as big as potential Premier League deciders or deciding who might go on to a Champions League final, or at the very least having VAR HEAVILY impact either of those two scenarios, making changes where they can be made is a logical expectation.
For former Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, there definitely needs to be changes made to VAR and the way it’s handled by officiating teams. “I still believe that VAR contributes to a more serious and fair assessment in football. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced far too many incorrect decisions in my career as a player and in management.
I’ve always been a strong advocate of the technology. VAR is good and helpful; we just need to change a few things,” the former Bayern and Germany legend stressed in an interview with kicker (via @iMiaSanMia ). “Let me start with the time factor: Far too much time often passes between the decision and its explanation over the stadium microphone.