'I almost fell off my chair!' - Toni Kroos slams new Bundesliga rule that has 'absolutely no effect and value' after Koln boss labels it 'nonsense'

Kroos is the latest to criticise the Bundesliga’s new 'handshake dialogue' rule, which requires both coaches and their captains to meet with the referee 70 minutes before kick-off for a short talk in an attempt to promote respect and reduce fights during matches. After the season's opening fixtures, Koln coach Lukas Kwasniok blasted it as “nonsense” and demanded it be scrapped.

The Bundesliga introduced the 'handshake dialogue' rule to deal with a growing issue in the game, with players constantly arguing with referees, deliberate fouls, and too much wasted time instead of football being played. By asking coaches and captains to meet the referee before kick-off, the league hoped it would set a respectful tone and cut down on hostility once the match started.

In reality, though, the reaction has been far from positive. Coaches, including Kwasniok and Frank Schmidt of Heidenheim, feel it adds nothing to the intensity of a live game and only gets in the way of their pre-match routines.

Speaking on his podcast Simply Luppen, Kroos, who retired last summer, said he was stunned when he heard about the change.

“I almost fell off my chair. Kwasniok has already said it. I didn't even know it was being introduced now. There are so many problems – including with VAR," Kroos said on his podcast.

"[The action is] nice and well-intentioned, but when you put yourself in the situation, I think to myself: 'Yeah, great.' You shake hands 70 minutes beforehand and say: 'Respectful interaction,' etc., but you don't yet have the emotions you have in the game.

"This has absolutely no effect and no value, especially since it disrupts the captains' preparations for the match. You're right in the middle of preparation. Now let's say how much we love each other. And in the fifth minute, there's no more handshake, then you get a yellow card."

Despite backlash from Kroos and Kwasniok, Freiburg coach Julian Schuster has come out in support of the new rule, praising it as a gesture of respect. The debate around the rule is likely to continue, but for now, Bundesliga players and coaches will be required to take part before every game.