Malmö FF head coach Gaute Helstrup has called for VAR to be brought into Swedish football, Sydsvenskan reports. He made the remark at his post-match press conference following his side's 1-0 defeat away to Häcken on Sunday.
The call puts Helstrup at odds with his own club. According to Sydsvenskan, Malmö FF has an annual meeting decision to work against the introduction of video assistant referees in Swedish football.
"Om målet för svensk fotboll är att bli bättre så tror jag att det är smart," Helstrup said, arguing that video review would be a sensible step if the aim is to raise the standard of the Swedish game.
The comments came after a match in which Anders Christiansen had a goal disallowed for offside, a decision that appeared correct, according to Sydsvenskan. The outlet describes the coach's stance as unexpected and likely unsettling for many supporters, given the club's established position.
The result was Häcken's fourth consecutive win over Malmö FF, according to Aftonbladet. Göteborgs-Posten reported that Häcken stays in touch with the top of the table after the drama, while Sydsvenskan's player ratings named Christiansen as the bright spot in an otherwise flat Malmö performance.
Swedish football has so far held back from adopting VAR, and Malmö FF's members have formally backed that stance. Helstrup's remarks now place the question of video review back in the spotlight at one of the country's biggest clubs.
What to watch next: whether Malmö FF's leadership responds to its coach's position, and whether the debate over VAR in the Allsvenskan gains momentum.
