Swedish Federation refuses to use VAR after opposing position from clubs and fans

Sweden rejected the use of VAR in local football after listening to the clubs and noticing the indignation of fans with the possible implementation of the video referee system, confirmed Fredrik Reinfeldt, in a statement made on the 25th to the newspaper “Aftonbladet”. According to him, the country's main competition does not require technology.

“If I counted correctly, we have 18 clubs in the elite and two regional federations who have said they will not introduce VAR. We respect that. And we don't see it in the future either.”— he reaffirmed.

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_{Fans of both sexes cheering together (Photo: Reproduction/DigitalVision Maskot/GettImages/Embed)}

Before, I was in favor

In statements from 2023, the president of the Swedish football federation defended the implementation of VAR in the country. According to Reinfeldt, the video referee was “the future of the game”. Today, the stance is different: the clubs are clearly opposed. Furthermore, it is known that Reinfeldt has been under pressure to abdicate his position, both in football stadiums and at local federation events.

In this interview published on Thursday (25), he clarifies that the previous position was in line with the understanding that UEFA would impose the video referee system on the continent's federations, in general, which did not happen. VAR is used in many European countries, such as Germany, Austria, Belgium, England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal.

Now there's another position

“We will not present the application to the body responsible for applying new technologies, due to the clear opposition of our clubs. This is in respect of the democratic rules that govern the movement of our football. That is why we will not use VAR” — concluded Reinfeldt, a former Swedish prime minister, who now runs football.

The Swedish Professional League Group has said it will oppose the use of VAR from the second half of this year. In Norway, around 70 supporters' delegations are demonstrating against the country's video referee. In England there are also protests. The use of VAR, therefore, becomes debatable.

Featured Photo: English fans also demonstrated against VAR (Photo: Reproduction/MarcAtkins/GettyImages/Embed)