April 26 – Sweden is set to reject the introduction and implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after elite clubs voiced their opposition to the technology.
Across Europe’s leagues, VAR has often been at the centre of controversy and Swedish clubs, who have at least 51% fan ownership, have opposed the introduction in their country.
Swedish FA president Frederik Reinfeldt previously said that he favoured VAR, but in an interview with the newspaper Aftonbladet he conceded: “If I counted correctly, we have 18 elite clubs and two districts that have said they do not want to introduce VAR.
“We respect that. That’s why we didn’t bring forward any proposal about VAR to the previous board of representatives meeting and I don’t foresee it in the future either. I stand by respecting the democratic rules of the game.”
Last year, Norway introduced VAR leading to a storm of protest from more than 70 fan groups, who perceived the implementation of the technology as flawed. Sweden will be one of very few major leagues to not have VAR, but the league is not expected to come under pressure from Europe.
“I don’t think so now, from what I’ve heard,” said Reinfeldt. “So then it is up to us to make the decision. Then it is clear how it looks right now — the clubs do not want the introduction of this specific technology.”
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