After several years of playing for the club Kuzbass in Russia, even after the country's invasion of Ukraine, Simon Jansson left the Russian league this spring to return to Swedish bandy and signed for Bollnäs.
Jansson said in an interview with Bandypuls in March that he did not leave Russia earlier because he could not pay the contract, and Bollnäs came out in connection with the signing of Jansson and condemned Russia's war in Ukraine.
“It was rough”
Despite everything, Jansson has received hate and harassment from both players and supporters of opposing teams. During Bollnäs' last match against Broberg in the Elitserien (6–6), it was on a new level, the player says.
In the last match, the family was dragged in and I don't accept that. It was rough, and it has been rough before. I try to ignore it, but now it's time to speak out, Jansson tells Ljusnan.
Jansson felt particularly singled out by a specific opponent.
I felt attacked by this player from minute one. Then it was both physical and verbal that completely crossed the line. It was a strangulation.
Daughter doesn't want to go to matches
"I can't tell the media what he said. I'm shaking now when we talk about it. I understand that people have an opinion that I chose to stay in Russia, but we are all human. Don't attack my children," Jansson told the newspaper.
The 34-year-old also reveals that his eldest daughter no longer wants to go to his matches as she has begun to understand what is being said in the stands.
Bollnäs now hopes to see action from the Swedish Bandy Association and other relevant stakeholders.
"We also ask that all adults who stand in the stands and shout obscenities at children investigate their actions," writes Bollnäs.
