Protest and resist: fans in Scandinavia lead backlash against VAR
The Guardian says As soon as the first whistle blew in Stabæk’s home game against Viking, the hardcore of their support began filtering out of the stand. Tucked away in another section, the visitors’ fans remained in their places but observed a vow of silence. Play continued in an outwardly unremarkable Norwegian top-flight game midway through July, fogged slightly by smoke from flares being let off outside.
The last of Stabæk’s hardcore drifted out to reveal a banner, hung along the back of the terrace, that displayed their frustration in words. “VI VAR HER” (“We were here”), it read, with the middle word painted red for emphasis.
Questions over VAR’s viability have grown louder in England over the past week but, in swathes of Scandinavia, words have been matched by actions. The Stabæk support were among those enraged by the introduction of video technology to Norway’s Eliteserien in April with, they believed, a lack of consultation. Theirs was far from the only show of protest. Two months ago more than 70 different fan groups coalesced to ensure stadiums were silent for the first 15 minutes of two consecutive matchdays.