The Hockeyallsvenska final between Djurgården and AIK is hot and that all matches are played at Hovet in Stockholm describes Erik Ryman as an "extra spice".
But the duel for a place in SHL is also characterized by a threat against the referees – which has resulted in several of the best referees being removed from the final series before it has even started, according to Expressen.
It is not acceptable, says Erik Ryman to TT.
I really urge leaders, players, but above all, the audience and supporters to think about what they say and how they express themselves in different forums. Because we end up in a security situation where many officials, referees, and referees' families receive a lot of threats and hate.
Good dialogue with fans
Djurgården hockey's CEO Matthias Sånemyr agrees.
It is clear that threats – regardless of whether they are directed against referees or players in their own team or in the opposing team – are something we take a clear distance from. It is not what our colors or our shield stand for.
The matches should be decided on the ice, where our stands should support this fantastic team we have. That is our appeal to all our supporters, definitely.
Sånemyr describes the dialogue with the club's supporter groups as good, and that they feel safe in being able to handle the risks of arranging derby matches.
"We are used to it"
Since we cannot have away supporters at Hovet (the police say no for security reasons), it naturally reduces the risk factor. We handle the matches based on the recommendations we receive from the police, and we are used to playing against AIK in this way.
The fact that there will be several derbies in a short time during the final play has not affected much either.
Just because there are no away supporters, it becomes relatively easy to go through with this from an organizational perspective. Then there will be an incredible number of people on site. So it's more about having a lively staff who are on their toes and making sure this really becomes a party every time, says Sånemyr.
+ What?
Djurgården against AIK in the battle for a SHL spot. AIK won three of four meetings between the teams in the regular season.
+ How?
Best of seven matches, all played at Hovet in Stockholm.
+ When?
16 April: Djurgården–AIK, 19.00.
18 April: Djurgården–AIK, 15.00.
20 April: AIK–Djurgården, 18.00.
22 April: AIK–Djurgården, 19.00.
possibly 25 April: Djurgården–AIK, 19.00.
possibly 27 April: AIK–Djurgården, 18.00.
possibly 30 April: Djurgården–AIK, 19.00.
