Norway is on track to make football history as the first country to abandon the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system after 19 out of 32 clubs in the nation’s top two divisions voted on Wednesday to remove the controversial technology.
The vote, following a four-month consultation involving clubs, players, and fan groups, recommended the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) officially scrap VAR in the Eliteserien and second-tier division.
While the NFF is set to make a final decision in March, sources suggest the governing body might still overturn the recommendation.
Introduced in 2023, VAR has faced fierce backlash from fans across Norway. Protests against the system reached a tipping point this season when a match between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm was abandoned after angry fans hurled fish cakes onto the pitch.
Other matches were similarly disrupted with champagne corks, croissants, and tennis balls being thrown in protest.
The unrest triggered the consultation process that culminated in the vote.
Fans have long been frustrated over VAR’s impact on the flow of games, with many calling for its removal to preserve the integrity and spirit of football.
If the NFF rubber-stamps the decision, Norway’s top division will return to traditional officiating, setting a global precedent.
However, all eyes are on the federation as it considers whether to align with the vote or uphold VAR in the face of widespread dissent.
 system){kind=link}