Norway Cup tournament organizers face severe internal backlash following the conclusion of the youth football event, according to statements given to Dagbladet by departing staff and referee representatives. Multiple referees, senior committee members, and referee leadership figures have resigned over worsening conditions, poor basic facilities, and what they describe as disrespectful treatment by tournament leadership.
Resignations and Referee Leadership Walkouts at Norway Cup
According to Dagbladet, several members of the referee leadership and parts of the arrangements committee have formally resigned following the tournament. Norway Cup referee Henrik Brækhus reported that multiple officials wept and felt betrayed after the closing ceremony. Brækhus stated that tournament leader Tone Lien referred to referees simply as “volunteer actors” during her address, adding that matches cannot happen without them. Brækhus noted that participants perceived these remarks as empty words given their ongoing complaints regarding basic living conditions.
Further friction arose during the recognition of outgoing referee chief Tomas Trogstad. Brækhus stated that Tone Lien announced publicly during the ceremony that anyone wishing to take over Trogstad’s role could contact her directly. According to Brækhus, attendees viewed the announcement as disrespectful. Brækhus also stated that Lien looked at her mobile phone while the annual referee of the year was being named, leaving many attendees disappointed and angry.
Demands for Basic Needs and Safety Concerns
Referees contend that they have had to fight annually for basic provisions such as water, food, and adequate facilities. Brækhus stated that after managing matches involving racism, bullying, or other serious incidents, officials require proper recovery spaces. Instead, according to Brækhus, referees must walk several hundred meters between schools to shower, often without a colleague present, which compromises personal safety.
Jakub Stefanski, a regional representative in the REFEX referee exchange program, echoed these complaints in his interview with Dagbladet. Stefanski stated that Norway Cup attempts to cut costs across all areas, noting that referees must supply their own water bottles and that some locations lack food service entirely. Stefanski described the tournament administration as highly disrespectful and unconcerned with referee welfare, while praising the outgoing referee chief Trogstad for attempting to solve their problems.
Did you know? Norway Cup, held annually on Ekebergsletta in Oslo, is widely recognized as the world’s largest football tournament for children and young people, drawing thousands of participants and officials from around the globe.
Arrangements Committee Departures and Food Arrangement Controversy
Ann Wenche Kleven, an experienced referee and longtime member of the referee arrangements committee, confirmed her resignation to Dagbladet. Kleven stated that working conditions have steadily declined over the years and that she can no longer support the system or look referees in the eyes. Kleven specifically criticized the new food arrangement, pointing out that referees must eat in the main hall where they risk sitting at the same tables as players they recently issued red cards to during matches.
While an initial report by Dagbladet claimed that the entire 17-person arrangements committee had resigned, communications manager Severin Roald subsequently clarified that only parts of the committee stepped down.
Official Responses From Norway Cup Administration
Outgoing referee chief Tomas Trogstad confirmed his resignation to Dagbladet but rejected claims that a conflict caused his departure. Trogstad stated that while he wishes referees had even better conditions, their treatment is not the reason he is stepping down, though he acknowledged that multiple simultaneous resignations represent an unusual situation for a closely knit team.
Tone Lien declined to comment directly on the specific criticisms, pointing instead to statements provided by communications manager Severin Roald. Roald stated to Dagbladet that referees perform one of the tournament’s most vital functions and remain central to the new operational structure currently under development. According to Roald, tournament management acknowledges the necessity of a thorough review of referee organization, listening to concerns, and evaluating structures ahead of the upcoming tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Norway Cup referees and committee members resign?
According to Dagbladet, departing referees and committee members resigned due to worsening facilities, a lack of basic provisions like water and food, safety concerns regarding shower access, and perceived disrespect from tournament leadership during the closing ceremony.
What specific incidents triggered the backlash at the closing ceremony?
Referees criticized tournament leader Tone Lien for referring to them as “volunteer actors,” publicly inviting audience members to contact her if they wanted to take over the referee chief role, and using her mobile phone during the announcement of the referee of the year, according to statements given to Dagbladet.
How did Norway Cup management respond to the criticism?
Communications manager Severin Roald acknowledged the need for a thorough review of referee organization, stating that management will listen to concerns and evaluate structures before the next tournament, while outgoing referee chief Tomas Trogstad denied that any internal conflict prompted his departure.
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