FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, who are both involved, have already suffered a large number of injuries in December. If things are similar next April or May, how will they be able to seriously take part in this Club World Cup? Then they have to go there with the second team, and that can’t be the point. Not to mention the risk of someone getting injured there and then being out for the first few weeks of the season. What FIFA came up with isn’t smart.
What is clever, however, is how the German referees are currently presenting themselves – after all, they too were repeatedly criticized for using video referees (VAR) last year. But now they stand after the games, comment on controversial scenes, admit mistakes – that’s exemplary. I recently spoke to DFB referee instructor Lutz Wagner and appealed to him to continue along this line. Because that’s important for the game, important for the players – and especially for the fans. This is authentic, likeable and helps to make the referees’ decisions more transparent and understandable. And so it would also help us to continue to experience football in a way that is worth watching, gripping and inspiring.
Dear readers, I would like to thank you very much for your loyalty over the past year. I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you at t-online in 2025. Until then, I wish you a relaxing and contemplative holiday and good health for the new year.