If Malmö wins away against Västerås, the club will secure its 24th Swedish Championship gold in football. Between 3,000 and 3,500 Malmö supporters are expected to travel to Västerås, according to Immelgård.
They have bought up all their standing tickets and got around 400 seated tickets. Then they have bought themselves too, he says.
If there will be a gold celebration at Hitachi Energy arena remains to be seen. Regardless, Västerås is ready for a potential pitch invasion after the match. It has become more of a rule than an exception when Allsvenskan clubs secure the Swedish Championship gold – most recently last year when Malmö took the gold on home ground after winning against Elfsborg.
But I would say it's a non-issue since we're going to win, says Johan Immelgård with a laugh.
"Will establish a security zone"
He continues:
But if it were to happen against expectations, we have a plan. We will establish a security zone for the players in front of the dugout and the players' tunnel. As soon as the signal goes, we will set up barriers so that our staff and players are secured.
Extra many security guards and event staff will be on site. Immelgård is clear that the club wants to prevent supporters from getting close to the pitch before the final whistle.
If they enter the pitch, it will be an interruption. And if many enter, it will be a longer interruption. If we can't get the supporters back, the match might even be broken – and we don't want that to happen.
Got advice from Malmö
Immelgård says that he has had a very good dialogue with Malmö and the police. MFF has won six of the last ten Swedish Championship golds and is used to this type of match – and has therefore been able to provide valuable advice.
We have had a very good dialogue with our police here at home about what can happen. We have had a very good cooperation with Malmö and their security chief, we have drawn many lessons. I have sat in meetings all week with Malmö's SLO (Supporter Liaison Officer), supporter police and so on. Everyone has been involved and given their opinions and shared their experiences, he says.
The match kicks off at 15.00 on Saturday. With four rounds left to play, Malmö has a ten-point lead down to second-placed Hammarby. Västerås is last and has five points up to the qualifying spot.
