Germany players Sandro Wagner and Sami Khedira criticise VAR system

Germany's Sandro Wagner and Sami Khedira have heavily criticised the "disastrous" testing of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

The technology has been trialled in both Serie A and the Bundesliga this season and will be used in an official game in the UK for the first time in Germany's friendly against England on Friday.

The system sparked a scandal in Germany on Monday when head of the Bundesliga's VAR centre Hellmut Krug was replaced by the German FA.

The experienced ex-referee was accused of influencing decisions to favour Schalke, who he supports.

Hoffenheim striker Wagner, preparing for the England game at Wembley, said the sacking of Krug undermined confidence in the VAR in Germany.

He said: "It's a complex thing to evaluate. In itself, it's a good thing, but the implementation has been a disaster. Someone has been replaced, because he is a fan of a team (Krug).

"We have to wait two minutes to get a decision and despite the video, too many mistakes are still being made. If it continues like that we should can the thing."

VAR was created to avoid controversial decisions deciding the outcome of matches but some argue the system has had the opposite effect with debate also going on in Italy.

Khedira, who plays for Italian champions Juventus, agreed with Wagner's appraisal and said the VAR has also been troublesome.

He said: "The way it is used at the moment, it is not good. It will be good if we manage to regulate it better, but at the moment, it's a disaster. I have the feeling that the referees are overwhelmed.

"It's all a big jumble, in the Bundesliga and also in Serie A. The players do not know anymore whether or not to celebrate after a goal. A lot of emotion and passion has been lost."

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