Disclaimer: While this story is rich with deep-fried facts, it also contains a fishy amount of satire.
These futbol fans are FISHED OFF! (Elekes Andor/Wikimedia Commons)
Norwegian futbol fans are mad as hell, and they’re not gonna take it anymore! They’re sick and tired of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) and they’re protesting by throwing food on the field. And because it’s Norway, the food in question is, of course, fish cakes.
A fish cake is a popular local snack or fast food item, kind of like a non-toxic version of McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish. (Both Delicious!) They’re enjoyed as a quick and tasty treat during sporting events and they also apparently make great weapons!
How would you like to get hit in the head with THIS? (TV2Sport/TikTok)
The league adopted the use of Video Assistant Referees in 2023, and the fish hit the fan. Opponents of the technology argue that VAR disrupts the flow of games and prolongs decision-making processes, making soccer matches even more boring than usual. If that’s even possible.
Looks like someone's about to get a fish cake to the face. (Chelsea 0 Valencia/Wikimedia Commons)
The now infamous fish cake incident occurred during an Eliteserien match between Rosenborg BK and Lillestrom, causing the game to flash freeze just moments after kick-off.
Traumatized players retreated to the locker rooms to escape the fish cake frenzy. When they returned to the field to try again, they were met with another unexpected barrage of even more fish cakes, tennis balls, and even smoke bombs.
Smoke bombs? That escalated quickly.
That feeling when you really hate little TV screens. (Rahul Pandi/Pexels)
The fish cake massacre continued until the (human) referee had no choice but to suspend the match, with the score deadlocked at a thrilling 0-0.
“I’m just glad everyone’s not mad at me for a change. You know, people constantly telling you to get your head out of your a** really takes its toll on a person. Refs have feelings too!”
Bjørn Johansen, Referee/Sensitive Soul
The protests may have been thwarted for now, but according to angry fans, they’re not about to stop anytime soon. The fish cake throwers at the match even displayed a banner that declared, “We will never give up, VAR will go away.”
Not the catchiest of slogans, but hey, maybe it sounds better in Norwegian.
In reaction to the chaos, the teams announced the game’s postponement and assured fans that a reschedule would soon follow. Whether the forecast calls for another fish cake flash flood remains to be seen.
