FourFourTwo 
26-04-2024 14:57
26-04-2024 14:57
VAR plans scrapped in Sweden, after widespread club and fan pressure sees FA take stand against technology
Sweden will not be introducing VAR
(Image credit: Getty Images)
VAR has been officially rejected in Sweden, with the Swedish FA becoming the first in the world to reject the use of the technology following widespread opposition from clubs and fans. This comes after the president of the Swedish FA Fredrik Reinfeldt said last year that ‘VAR was our future’, with the subsequent u-turn coming after a majority of the country’s leading clubs said they did not want to introduce it. “If I counted correctly, we have 18 elite clubs and two districts that have said they do not want to introduce VAR,” Reinfeldt, Sweden’s former prime minister said. “We respect that. A referee checks the screen “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.” Sweden becomes the first country to reject the use of VAR and reflects the fact that Swedish teams have at least 51 per cent fan ownership, with VAR being extremely unpopular in the Scandinavian country. This meant 18 of the 32 top clubs opposed the move, as did two of the country’s regional associations. VAR in use at the Tottenham Hotpsur Stadium (Image credit: Getty Images) Reinfeldt added that he does not believe Sweden will come under pressure from UEFA over their decision and will not have to use it in European competitions. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
VAR has been officially rejected in Sweden, with the Swedish FA becoming the first in the world to reject the use of the technology following widespread opposition from clubs and fans. This comes after the president of the Swedish FA Fredrik Reinfeldt said last year that ‘VAR was our future’, with the subsequent u-turn coming after a majority of the country’s leading clubs said they did not want to introduce it. “If I counted correctly, we have 18 elite clubs and two districts that have said they do not want to introduce VAR,” Reinfeldt, Sweden’s former prime minister said. “We respect that. A referee checks the screen “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.” Sweden becomes the first country to reject the use of VAR and reflects the fact that Swedish teams have at least 51 per cent fan ownership, with VAR being extremely unpopular in the Scandinavian country. This meant 18 of the 32 top clubs opposed the move, as did two of the country’s regional associations. VAR in use at the Tottenham Hotpsur Stadium (Image credit: Getty Images) Reinfeldt added that he does not believe Sweden will come under pressure from UEFA over their decision and will not have to use it in European competitions. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.