The infamous Cologne cellar is in front of that. The Video Assistant Referees will soon be available on the DFB campus, there should be more space and more insights in Frankfurt.
The concept of “Cologne Keller” has been part of the modern football vocabulary for a few years as the “calibrated line” or the “unnatural widening of the body area”. The ominous, windowless rooms in the Deutz district of Cologne have seen very few, thanks to the regular video Assistant Referees (VAR), the Cologne Keller has nevertheless achieved a certain celebrity. The attraction of the secret. But that will soon be over.
Because in the foreseeable future, all screens, headsets and referee jerseys have to be packed in moving boxes in the Cologne basement and shipped towards Hesse. As Alexander Feuerhert, the media boss of the DFB referee, confirmed on Wednesday of the sports show, the Cologne Keller goes to his last season in summer. From the Bundesliga season 2026/27, handles, offside positions or assault from Frankfurt are checked and punished. The kicker first reported on it on Wednesday morning.
There is still room for the DFB
The reason for the space and air change is simple: there is still enough space on the DFB campus in the south of Frankfurt, and the almost 100 Cologne square meters are currently to be significantly more to be on the former horse racecourse. The DFB speaks of “more generous premises” and also offers the most diverse technology. The move should become a win-win situation for everyone involved. The rental costs incurred in Cologne are also saved.
In addition, the DFB is probably also working on the acceptance of the var. The new rooms, which despite the history do not necessarily have to lie in the basement, should become more representative and more presentable. Visits to media representatives who are currently also possible or other external visitors should be more common in the future. Keyword: transparency.
Only the question of the future name of the Var premises would remain. “Frankfurter Funkraum” or “Frankfurt Foul Center” would be possible, but are expandable. Fortunately, there is still some time to ponder.
