On Sunday, the Norwegian top division match between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm was abandoned after supporters threw fishcakes and tennis balls onto the pitch.
Protests against video assistant referee technology (VAR) interrupted the game multiple times before it was abandoned with just 32 minutes played at Rosenberg’s Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim.
Both sets of supporters threw objects ranging from tennis balls and smoke bombs to fishcakes. Lillestrøm’s supporters unfurled a banner reading, “We will never give up, VAR will go away.”
The two teams were twice sent back to their dressing rooms while the objects were cleared. They then came out onto the pitch twice to attempt to resume the match, which was abandoned with just 32 minutes played.
Fishcakes are a traditional food in Norway, although it isn’t clear why they were chosen for the protest.
VAR was introduced for Norwegian top-flight games in 2023, and like in many of the places it has been implemented, it has proved controversial.
Last month, a game between Lillestrøm and KFUM Oslo saw fans protest by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch in the first minute of the match.
The protests have since made headlines across the world, and tweets of the incident have been seen millions of times.
Below, you can see social media posts of the protests.
Rosenborg vs. Lillestrøm in Norway’s Eliteserien, play has now been stopped a total of four times inside the first 30 minutes due to protests from both sets of fans because they don’t like VAR 😂
Items thrown onto the pitch include tennis balls, smoke bombs and… fishcakes. pic.twitter.com/NyMhvuepkg
— Andy Lewers (@AndyLewers) July 21, 2024
Fantastic to see the VAR protests from yesterdays Rosenborg vs Lillestrøm match have made it over to English news sites – although admittedly fishcakes seemed to be the main talking point 😅🐟 https://t.co/NpLQtDz7RB pic.twitter.com/VDBZx5H7e9
— Football Norway (@NorwayFooty) July 22, 2024
GAME ABANDONED IN NORWAY AFTER FANS’ VAR PROTESTS. 📺
Tennis balls, flares & even FISHCAKES thrown onto the field at Rosenborg vs Lillestrom, prompting several stoppages & eventual cancellation. 🐟
Fans’ message is clear. “We never give up. VAR is going away!” 😤 pic.twitter.com/KJdLeB41uc
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 21, 2024
Joacim Møller, from Lillestrøm’s supporter group, said that the protests were a victory for supporters.
“I see it as a victory for those who want to abolish VAR, we get the attention we want,” he told public broadcaster NRK.
He also said that more protests against VAR were planned for the future.
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