Former Bundesliga referee Thorsten Kinhöfer has raised concerns regarding the accuracy of officiating at the World Cup, arguing that referees are deviating from the current rulebook. As a current TV expert, he warned of dire consequences arising from a new interpretation of the rules in football.
The controversy centers around how goalkeepers are treated during set pieces, a factor that played a significant role in Germany’s elimination against Paraguay in the Round of 16.
A goal by Jonathan Tah was disallowed after a VAR intervention due to minimal contact with Paraguay’s goalkeeper, Waldemar Anton. This decision was linked back to directives set out by Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head referee.
“What Collina Says Becomes Law”
Kinhöfer asserted that the disallowed goal stemmed from a directive by Collina: “I don’t understand FIFA’s media policy, but their interpretation is quite fatal,” he stated. He emphasized that there was no foul in the instance involving Germany’s play, accusing Collina of making his own interpretation of the rules.
He further explained, “If the boss says tomorrow that we no longer call handballs, then we simply won’t.” Although he refrained from using the term “subservience,” he concluded, “What Collina says then becomes law.”
Collina had previously stated that even slight movements that impede the goalkeeper’s movement should be scrutinized. “Trainers and players have been informed about this, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that referees will penalize such fouls,” he asserted.
Will Goalkeepers Exploit New Directives?
The changes to the rules were not communicated effectively to the broader public ahead of the tournament. Kinhöfer’s firm stance is that the observed officiating doesn’t align with the current rulebook; it is merely a FIFA interpretation. He shares this sentiment with fellow experts such as Patrick Ittrich on MagentaTV, and Manuel Gräfe, who have both expressed their discontent.
Kinhöfer also warned of significant repercussions. He noted that the introduction of VAR has already altered players’ behavior on the pitch: “Players pretend to be injured, then make miraculous recoveries when VAR is not observing,” he commented.
Goalkeepers, too, may adapt quickly to these new circumstances, realizing that a slight touch might prompt a dramatic fall, exploiting the rules to have a goal disallowed after a video review.
Kramer Sees a Scandalous Decision
Kinhöfer reiterated that this represents a dangerous shift for football.
TV expert and former professional Christoph Kramer expressed his bewilderment at the decisions: “I just don’t understand it.” He referenced Arsenal’s controversial style of play that has effectively exploited goalkeeper interference for numerous goals.
Regarding the disallowed DFB goal, Kramer remarked, “This was already—this can never be an excuse—a scandalous decision.”
Kinhöfer further clarified that UEFA and DFB may not necessarily adopt Collina’s directives for the upcoming season should any actual rule changes be implemented.
