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📺 Could Sweden’s rejection of VAR be the start of a global, fan-led pushback?

📺 Could Sweden’s rejection of VAR be the start of a global, fan-led pushback?

Allsvenskan clubs have listened to their fans and voted against video technology!

Graham Ruthven's avatar
Graham Ruthven
May 09, 2024
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The Soccer Dispatch
The Soccer Dispatch
📺 Could Sweden’s rejection of VAR be the start of a global, fan-led pushback?
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With Hammarby IF 2-0 and cruising against Degersfor last season, they were reduced to 10 men when they shouldn’t have been.

Replays showed Nathaniel Adjei made no contact with the opposition player, but he was sent off anyway. There was no VAR to review the decision and Hammarby IF were subsequently pegged back to a 2-2 draw. 


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This is the way Swedish football fans want it. The Allsvenskan is the only division in Europe’s top 30 leagues not to have VAR. Its referees officiate matches the old fashioned way - with their own eyes in the moment.

Last month, the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) announced it will not look to introduce VAR after clubs voiced their opposition to the technology.

At a time when frustration at the use of video technology in the sport is building, could Sweden’s rejection of VAR set a precedent?

Could this be the start of a movement?

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