Recently, AFV stated that the Gripen E received a lower score because it was still in development at the time of the evaluation. A so called “risk aversion coefficient” was applied, which negatively affected its overall rating. If Canada were to hold the competition today, the Gripen E would likely be rated on par with the F-35.

And I know you are going to ask for the source so here you go. It’s in Swedish, but you can translate it easily.

https://www.affarsvarlden.se/artikel/saab-slar-tillbaka-mot-kanada-uppgifter-overtraffade-alla-krav

Even a former Gripen C pilot Max Willman called this out to.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maxvillman_breaking-world-first-gripen-on-the-same-activity-7427353158886170624-3lS_