The question of whether there should be VAR in Swedish football is an infected question where, above all, the majority of the clubs’ fans are strongly against it. But at the Allsvenskan kick-off meeting, a poll was held where everyone on site could vote anonymously – and then only about 30 percent were against bringing in VAR.
IFK Norrköping’s coach Glen Riddersholm thinks it is remarkable that people do not dare to stand up for their opinion that they want VAR in Swedish football.
– It was interesting to see how many people are in favor of VAR. I’m surprised you can’t stand for it. They don’t want to say it. But when it’s voting, you dare to press a button. It’s classic Swedish, he says to Fotbollskanalen and continues:
– You shouldn’t be so afraid to talk about what you think. Then a decision comes and then you have to accept it. But we must not be afraid to stand up for what we think. I lack courage there.
What do you think?
– That we should have VAR. Why wouldn’t I be for it? We lost a quarter-final against Häcken, but if we had had VAR, we might have won. We saw it in all the quarter-finals of the cup. We have to make it so that it becomes a fair game. All clubs work so hard every day and have so much pressure on them, so if we have things that can help the referee then we have to say yes to it.
– But damn, how many times does it happen in a season that you cheer for a goal that is then ruled out? With VAR, you get to celebrate twice, once when a goal is scored and once again when VAR approves the goal. It’s only positive.
– The judges need help. If the referees get help once or twice per match, it is only good to provide that support. It’s not many times per match that would happen. What is it that we are so afraid of?
How do you see many people who don’t want VAR, especially supporters?
– I respect that. I understand that. But I am 50 years old. I have been a football coach for 30 years. I am romantic. If I could choose… but damn, then would be the same way as when I started. But we have to admit, football is evolving. If in my development as a coach I did not have the ability to innovate, then I would not have been allowed to be in Sweden as a top coach today.
– In Sweden, we have to admit that if we have problems, we have to be on our toes and keep up. We can’t be left out. Because if our referees are going to be good, they damn well have to work with VAR, because otherwise they can’t take the step internationally. If it is to be more fair in the Allsvenskan, then it must be fair. If we are to adapt to that development, if we are to have better teams that do well in Europe, if we are to have talents that do better, if we are to have an A national team that does better, but then we also have to take all these steps in every way that will allow us to compete at the very highest level in ten years.
Riddersholm says that he has spoken to many players, coaches and club leaders who want VAR in the Allsvenskan.
– Everyone I have spoken to here (at the kick-off meeting) says that it goes without saying that we should have VAR. For me, leadership is about respecting and listening. If you have responsibility, you shouldn’t be afraid to say what you think, even if the fans in the club don’t like it, then you can enter into a dialogue with the fans, but then you have to say that we think that this is the best for Swedish football. I think we are missing a voice there. You mustn’t be so afraid of this. I know this can be seen as controversial, but I want to nuance it.
