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.
Degree
Student essay
View/ Open
Date
2024-08-15Author
Ranta, Sanna
Keywords
emotions; football; rationalization; supporter; disenchantment; video assistant referee
Language
eng