Fans protested against VAR by throwing fishcakes and smoke bombs onto the pitch which forced the match officials to abandon Rosenborg's game.
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Fans unleashed bitter protest against VARFour stoppages inside the first half-hourRosenborg and Lillestrom's match was abandonedWHAT HAPPENED?
The first half-hour of the match saw no fewer than four distinct protests against VAR, with both sets of fans expressing their frustrations. The protests involved throwing tennis balls, flares, and even fishcakes onto the pitch, significantly disrupting the flow of the game.
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Rosenborg's ultras hurled tennis balls onto the pitch which forced the players to exit the field, adhering to the new rules that mandate a temporary stoppage in such situations. The ultras also displayed a banner reading, "We will never give up, VAR will go away," signalling their unyielding stance against the technology. Not long after the initial interruption, Lillestrom fans mirrored the actions of their Rosenborg counterparts. This repeated disruption caused the stadium announcer to warn that any further stoppages would lead to the match being abandoned.
Getty WHAT NEXT?
Despite the announcer's warnings, the protests continued unabated. This final act of defiance compelled the officials to abandon the match altogether. Throughout these events, chants of "Hate, hate, f***ing hate VAR" echoed around the stadium, uniting fans from both sides in their disdain for the technology. While the technology aims to bring fairness and accuracy to the game, it has also been a source of frustration for many fans and players alike. And the incident on Sunday underscores the growing discontent among supporters who feel that VAR disrupts the natural flow and excitement of football.