A crucial message to world football? Swedes refuse to use VAR, most clubs agree

The Swedes continue to refuse to use the video referee, i.e. the VAR system, in league matches. Most clubs are against the introduction of this technology, and the Swedish Football Association respects the clubs’ decision. This was announced by the president of the association, Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Swedish Football Association chairman Fredrik Reinfeldt has backed away from introducing the controversial video referee (VAR) system in Swedish football. Most clubs in the Swedish league are against the introduction of the technology.

Paradoxically, however, it was the president of the Swedish Football Association who last March described the VAR system as much needed for the future of not only the top competition there.

Today, however, the situation is different. In several elite clubs, members have voted against the introduction of video and now two football districts have done the same. Moreover, since March this year, Hammarby’s general assembly has decided to work on the removal of Fredrik Reinfeldt as chairman.

“We have not put forward any proposal for the introduction of VAR and I do not foresee it in the future,” said Swedish Football Association chairman Fredrik Reinfeldt in an interview with the Aftonbladet daily.

“If I counted correctly, we have eighteen elite clubs and two districts that have said they do not want to introduce VAR. We respect that. That is why we did not submit a proposal for VAR at the last Council meeting and I do not see it in the future, ” the former prime minister added.

Reinfeldt on the introduction of VAR…

The Swedish daily Aftonbladet describes how the meeting on video went. Reinfeldt is said to have come up with a completely different opinion from his initial statements, which he explained in an interview with the aforementioned website as follows.

“I stand for respecting the democratic rules of the game. At the time, it was discussed that the introduction of VAR could be demanded by UEFA itself. With what I have heard, I don’t think so now (UEFA will not require it in Sweden – ed.). Then it is up to us to decide. So I understand how it looks now,” said the president of the federation.

Swedish clubs already opposed the introduction of this technology last year, and most teams still actively oppose it. They are most bothered by the lengthy examination of typical borderline situations, especially close offsides.

Source: Aftonbladet, X