New Delhi: Every sport in the modern day is benefitting from the use of modern day technology. It’s helping improve the standard of sport, reducing the risk of a human error. Sports like Cricket, Tennis, Badminton and Football, have all been using technology to improve the standards and it was with that intention that football introduced the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the game to help the on-field referee make better decision.
The VAR was first used in a friendly game between Italy and France in 2016 before being introduced into the laws of the game in 2018. Since it’s implementation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, various top flight leagues of major footballing nations have all been using VAR, to varying degree of success, with Norway introducing the technology to it’s top flight, the Eliteserien in 2023.
In recent years, the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in football has sparked passionate debates worldwide, and Norway is no exception. VAR has faced severe backlash from fans, players, and even club officials. Now, after months of consultations and a decisive vote by the country’s top two divisions, Norway is poised to become the first nation to abolish VAR entirely, but that begs the question, why are the top flight clubs voting to scrap the use of VAR?
Fan Backlash and Protests on the rise due to VAR
VAR protests in Norway caused the Rosenborg v Lillestrom game to be abandoned…
To show their anger at the VAR system they continuously threw fish cakes onto the field 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/cATOnEBN3O
— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) July 21, 2024
The most visible and vocal opposition to VAR in Norway has come from football fans. Discontent has been brewing since its introduction, with many supporters arguing that the system disrupts the flow of the game and detracts from the live match experience. Protests have become a common sight in stadiums, ranging from creative disruptions like throwing fish cakes, tennis balls, and champagne corks onto the pitch to outright abandonment of matches due to crowd unrest.
One high-profile protest occurred during a July match between Rosenborg BK and Lillestrøm SK, which had to be abandoned after fans threw smoke bombs and fish cakes onto the field. Such incidents illustrate the intensity of opposition to VAR among Norwegian football supporters, who feel the technology undermines the spontaneity and passion that define the sport.
The Norsk Supporterallianse, a prominent supporters’ group, has been a key voice in the anti-VAR movement. In a recent statement, the group called on the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) to respect the wishes of the clubs and fans, arguing that the burdens of VAR that are both, financial and logistical are borne disproportionately by elite league teams.
Results of the Voting
Norway is set to become the first country to abandon VAR after 19 of its 32 clubs voted to scrap video refereeing in the country’s top divisions. ❌
Earlier this season, Rosenborg vs. Lillestrøm was abandoned because fans threw fishcakes, tennis balls and flares onto the pitch… pic.twitter.com/Z73MEWBvyo
— SPORF (@Sporf) January 23, 2025
Over the past four months, clubs in the Eliteserien and the First Division (the top two leagues of Norway) held internal meetings to discuss VAR. The results were overwhelmingly clear as 19 out of 32 clubs voted in favor of scrapping the system. Unlike many other football leagues, where decisions are often top-down, Norwegian football operates through a democratic system where clubs, which are member-run, have significant decision-making power.
This democratic process underscores the unique governance model in Norway, where clubs prioritize the voices of their members, often reflecting fan sentiments. Even clubs that internally supported keeping VAR ultimately upheld the democratic decision to oppose it, ensuring that the collective will of Norwegian football stakeholders was respected.
The recommendation to abolish VAR was formalized by Norsk Topfotball, the organization representing the 32 top-tier and second-tier clubs. Their motion calls on the NFF to discontinue VAR “as soon as possible.” However, the phrasing leaves room for interpretation, and logistical hurdles, such as ongoing television rights agreements that run until 2028, may complicate immediate implementation.
Does this mean VAR will not be applicable in club football in Norway?
Well, not exactly. The final decision now lies with the Norway Football Federation (NFF) , which has been a proponent of VAR since its introduction. In March, the NFF’s Federal Assembly, which includes clubs from all levels of Norwegian football, will hold a decisive vote on the matter. While the top two divisions have made their position clear, grassroots clubs could still influence the outcome.
For now, Norway’s move to potentially abandon VAR highlights the challenges of integrating technology into a sport deeply rooted in tradition and human judgment. Whether this sets a precedent for other nations remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in Norway, the voice of the footballing community is loud, unified, and determined to preserve the spirit of the game.
Football clubs in Norway are looking to abolish the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in their football matches but why are clubs in the Scandinavian country opting for such a major decision? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
