The interrupted derby between Hammarby and Djurgården on Sunday has given new fuel to the discussion about safety, atmosphere, and supporter culture at Swedish football stadiums. In the aftermath, criticism has been directed at both the police and the clubs.
TT has contacted all 24 districts within the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) to hear their views on the work to counteract negative supporter culture and how the work is being done in the districts.
A clear majority, 13 of the 20 districts that responded, think that too little is being done at the national level.
We're not doing enough. It's clearly a societal problem, but also a football problem, says Birger Jonsson, chairman of Västmanland's football association, and continues:
Explosives and nail file
It can't be the intention that you can bring in half a ton of explosives into a football stadium, but not even bring in a nail file at Arlanda.
Jonsson gets support from, among others, Tommy Bodin, chairman of Västerbotten's football association:
I think too little is being done. More control of personnel is needed. But also control at the entrance. The downside is that it takes several hours to get into the arena then.
Almost all districts around Sweden point out that the problem picture is complex, just like potential solutions. Many also say that SvFF is doing a lot of good in the area, just like the clubs and Swedish elite football (Sef).
"Great danger and risk"
Many districts also say that their activities are far from the problems of elite football, but several point out that what happens on the Allsvenskan stands has consequences out in the country. Peter Ekvall is CEO of Skåne's football association:
We unfortunately see a trend that it's starting to become popular to copy what happens at elite club matches, to take it to the small match, he says.
It's a great danger and risk that it spreads down to grassroots football. Out there, there isn't the same security arrangement as at an elite match with police and rescue services and the whole apparatus.
Ekvall gets support from, among others, Patrik Gustafson, district manager for Göteborg's football association:
"There's a role model problem that makes bad supporter culture spread downwards", he writes in an email response.
