"Forssmed: 'This is not acceptable, it's dangerous'"

Minister for Sports Jakob Forssmed is not satisfied with the clubs' safety work. The scalp protection at the arenas must be improved, and more violent supporters must be banned, he believes. This is not enough, this is dangerous, he says.

» Published:

"Forssmed: 'This is not acceptable, it's dangerous'"
Photo: Lars Schröder/TT

Share this article

The violence in the stands that led the police to shut down the match between Hammarby and Djurgården is very serious and problematic, according to Forssmed (KD).

People can be seriously injured, he says.

The match is not the only one with disorderly conduct – and on November 5, he has called representatives from football, police, and prosecutors to a new meeting.

There is still much to be done, both when it comes to arenas, perimeter fencing, the possibility of bringing in pyrotechnics, and a culture where there are still players and leaders who think it's a lot of emotions in football and therefore have to accept this type of mess in the stands.

Pyrotechnics get in

Despite previous meetings where the problem was addressed, supporters still manage to smuggle in Bengal lights, bangers, and fireworks into the arenas.

It's clear that it's not okay that we see this situation again and again, says Forssmed.

He assumes that the organizers carefully analyze how this can happen and take the necessary measures to prevent it.

Forssmed is also critical that too few violent supporters are banned by the clubs. Before the Allsvenskan premiere in the spring, the clubs had banned 65 people, compared to 224 entry bans issued by prosecutors, according to a previous SVT investigation.

The clubs use the opportunity for organizer bans to a too small extent. When the threshold for an organizer ban is actually lower than for an entry ban.

Stricter penalties await

Hammarby's security chief was critical of the police's decision after the interrupted match and received support from Svensk Elitfotboll.

Jakob Forssmed, however, sees no reason to question the police.

Isn't it important that organizers and police stand united against violent perpetrators?

In general, it's very important that you show a united front from clubs, associations, and arena owners. I think that unity has existed at the meetings we've called and I assume that unity will persist, because we can't have it like this, says Forssmed.

The government's investigation to reduce violence in the stands is expected to be completed in March next year. Among other things, it involves stricter penalties for, for example, masking, planned storming, and firing pyrotechnics, but also increased opportunities to share camera material and other measures to counter violence, according to Forssmed.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Montler Advances to World Championship Long Jump Final with 8.11m Jump

Montler Advances to World Championship Long Jump Final with 8.11m Jump

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal

Andreas Almgren Reflects on Dreamlike Day After World Championship Bronze

Andreas Almgren Reflects on Dreamlike Day After World Championship Bronze

Swedish Duo Seeks Redemption in Tokyo at Athletics World Championship

Swedish Duo Seeks Redemption in Tokyo at Athletics World Championship

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Be Recovered Despite Her Wishes

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Be Recovered Despite Her Wishes

Convicted Pedophiles Found Coaching in Swedish Youth Sports Clubs

Convicted Pedophiles Found Coaching in Swedish Youth Sports Clubs

Nanasi's Shoulder Injury May Sideline Him for World Championship Qualifiers

Nanasi's Shoulder Injury May Sideline Him for World Championship Qualifiers

Maja Stark Secures Fifth Place in Ohio LPGA Event After US Open Win

Maja Stark Secures Fifth Place in Ohio LPGA Event After US Open Win

Ragnar Carlsson Falls Short in World Championship Hammer Throw Qualifiers

Ragnar Carlsson Falls Short in World Championship Hammer Throw Qualifiers

Suldan Hassan Targets Olympic Gold at Los Angeles 2028

Suldan Hassan Targets Olympic Gold at Los Angeles 2028

Germany Wins European Basketball Championship After 32-Year Wait

Germany Wins European Basketball Championship After 32-Year Wait

Roony Bardghji Debuts for Barcelona in 6-0 Win Over Valencia

Roony Bardghji Debuts for Barcelona in 6-0 Win Over Valencia

Haaland Shines as Man City Dominates Manchester Derby 3-0

Haaland Shines as Man City Dominates Manchester Derby 3-0

Tour of Spain Final Stage Canceled Amid Protests in Madrid

Tour of Spain Final Stage Canceled Amid Protests in Madrid

Oliver Solberg Wins First WRC2 World Championship Title

Oliver Solberg Wins First WRC2 World Championship Title

Elfsborg Stages Comeback to Draw 2-2 with Malmö in Allsvenskan Match

Elfsborg Stages Comeback to Draw 2-2 with Malmö in Allsvenskan Match

Finland Narrowly Misses Bronze in European Basketball Championship

Finland Narrowly Misses Bronze in European Basketball Championship

Alex Norén Wins PGA Championship at Wentworth After Playoff Victory

Alex Norén Wins PGA Championship at Wentworth After Playoff Victory

Jamaica Wins First Men's 100m World Championship Gold Since Bolt

Jamaica Wins First Men's 100m World Championship Gold Since Bolt