Norway Considers Becoming First Nation to Abolish VAR in Football
Dissent among Norwegian clubs over the Video Assistant Referee system could lead to its removal from the Eliteserien, following years of fan protests and criticism.
Norway is on the verge of becoming the first nation to eliminate Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology from its top football league, as clubs actively work towards its removal.
Several clubs in the Eliteserien, Norway's premier division, have expressed a desire to discontinue the use of VAR, which was introduced in 2023. This sentiment stems from ongoing fan protests and dissatisfaction with the technology's implementation and impact on the game.
While Sweden's Allsvenskan opted against introducing VAR in 2024, no country has yet decided to remove it after its adoption. This potential move by Norway marks a significant development in the global debate surrounding the technology.
Raymond Gabrielsen, chairman of Lillestrom Sports Club, confirmed the club's stance: "Lillestrom Sports Club has a clear annual meeting resolution that the club will actively work to phase out VAR, and the board and the club of course support this." He added that the club is engaged in discussions with other top-tier clubs and is pursuing concrete initiatives aimed at dismantling the system.
Gabrielsen elaborated on the opposition to VAR, stating, "We are against the very idea behind VAR. However, we believe that the quality of the current solution neither corresponds to what was communicated at the time of its introduction, nor to the expectations that have been created that the system would improve over time."
He emphasized the need for a re-evaluation, noting, "We therefore believe that the matter should be ripe for a new assessment, where the clubs that use the system should be heard," according to Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
Last year, Norwegian clubs attempted to propose abandoning VAR, but the motion was defeated by a significant majority.
The controversy surrounding VAR is not unique to Norway. In the English Premier League, the technology consistently generates debate, with clubs like Wolves having previously sought its abolition. In 2024, Wolves' proposal to remove VAR was outvoted by 19-1 among Premier League members.