A match in the Norwegian top-flight between Rosenborg BK and Lillestroem was suspended on Sunday due to a series of protests against the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The fans’ displeasure with VAR manifested in a unique way: a bombardment of fishcakes onto the field.
The protests began from the kickoff, and after a two-minute barrage of fishcakes, the referee decided to halt the match and send the players to the dressing room. While the game resumed after a brief interruption, the protests escalated with fans throwing tennis balls and smoke bombs onto the field. Ultimately, the referee was forced to abandon the match around the half-hour mark with the score still at 0-0.
VAR has faced significant criticism in the Norwegian Eliteserien, with many clubs’ supporter unions arguing that the time referees spend making decisions using the system detracts from the flow of the matches. This isn’t unique to Norway, as Sweden’s top leagues decided in April to avoid implementing VAR due to opposition from clubs. The incident in the Rosenborg BK vs. Lillestroem match further underscores the growing controversy surrounding VAR and its impact on the game.
