Per Engström is leaving the police after the infected conflict within football.
For GP, the head of the National Operational Department explains why.
I have three, four months left. Then I will retire. I have actually gone over time. I will turn 66 soon, and I feel that I have done my part. That I can be satisfied with that, says Engström.
The police backed down
Engström recently found himself at the center of events when the police introduced the controversial directives ahead of the 24th Allsvenskan round. The requirement was that the matches would be interrupted if supporters in the stands wore masks.
But after harsh criticism, the police backed down at the last minute. The directives were withdrawn – and at the same time, Engström disappeared from the spotlight.
Instead, it was his colleague Marie Borg who fronted the decision.
Now, Engström is stepping forward again and says that he is leaving his assignment, both within football and as a police officer.
"Not push on"
He tells how it went when the police withdrew the directives.
It became some kind of decision-making at a level above me. At the unit manager level. They decided to pause and wait, says Engström.
He describes that the pressure from outside was a decisive factor.
There was a lot of criticism of that part in different ways. They made a weighing at the unit manager level that the criticism is so great that we pause that part. Then it was announced that we should not push on with the issue, but it should still be worked on. What that means in detail, I cannot really answer. But it will be a new start to continue that way forward.
Reported banners
Per Engström has had football on his table within the police since 2016.
The frustration against him is clearly visible in the stands in Allsvenskan. During AIK's latest home game against Brommapojkarna, supporters unfolded a banner with the text: "Imprison Per Engström – save Swedish football".
Even Djurgården's supporters have directed criticism against him. In the derby against Hammarby, a banner with the message was shown: "Revoke Per Engström's permit to open his mouth".
Both messages have been reported to the police.
Going forward, it is Therese Rosengren who will take over Engström's role at the National Operational Department and thus also the responsibility for sports and football issues.
