Is it worth it? - Swedish football supporters’ perceptions toward a potential introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) in Swedish football

Abstract

Video assistant referee (VAR) is a decision-aid technology that aims to help referees in association football to make more accurate and fair decisions. In recent years, Swedish football has been echoed by debates whether to incorporate the much contested technology, as many other countries have. This study investigates Swedish football supporters’ perceptions toward a potential introduction of VAR in Swedish football. Further, it explores how these perceptions relate to the changing nature of football and what the supporters would risk losing if VAR was implemented in Sweden. The study employed a qualitative approach by conducting nine semi-structured interviews with Swedish football supporters. The results show that the participants opposed the potential incorporation of VAR in Sweden. Overall, the possible benefits of VAR were not perceived as worth the cost. VAR was perceived to harm the spontaneity of football and emotional experience, while contributing little to the greater fairness and accuracy in decisions. The opposition toward VAR was accompanied by a general dissatisfaction with the development of football, where economic rationalism increasingly dominates the sport, leaving less room for those who value the traditional aspects of football. This study demonstrates that an introduction of VAR can lead to a disenchantment of football which would risk supporters to lose their rituals, values, and beliefs that uphold their communities and constitute meaningful supportership.