Norway is expected to become the first country to abandon the VAR system, as 19 out of 32 clubs in the top division of football in the country voted to eliminate video refereeing.
After a four-month consultation period with clubs, players, and fan groups, the clubs from the first and second divisions in Norway voted to remove VAR and initiated a recommendation to the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), which will make the final decision.
The NFF is expected to make its final decision in March, while “ESPN” reports that the Norwegian football governing body may also overturn this result.
The Norwegian top football division, Eliteserien, introduced VAR in 2023, but fans from across the country have vocally opposed this decision.
At the beginning of this season, a match between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm was halted after fans threw cakes, fish, and other items onto the field to protest against VAR.
Other matches were interrupted by the throwing of champagne corks, tennis balls, and more.
The disturbances caused by the fans led to the consultation period and the possibility of removing VAR by the Norwegian Federation.
