All types of bags are prohibited at major sporting events in Sweden, writes the ice hockey association in a statement.
“There is now a total ban on bringing in bags when visiting our matches. This is after a decision from the Police Authority which, among other things, applies to all major sporting events,” the statement reads.
The new measures are quickly implemented by all organizers and apply until further notice. In the statement, the association writes that exceptions can be made due to medical reasons and after the bag has been checked.
New decision after the terrorist act
The basis for the decision is the increased terrorist threat level in Sweden and the events in Belgium two weeks ago.
Two Swedish citizens were shot dead and another was seriously injured in a terrorist attack that targeted Swedes in Brussels ahead of the football match between Belgium and Sweden.
“Based on the current situation in society and the fact that the Security Police raised the terror threat level to a four, the Police Authority has decided on a total ban on bags at major sporting events,” writes the Police Authority in an email to TV4 Nyheterna.
The decision includes, among other things, national team matches, the Allsvenskan football league, the SHL and various forms of European competitive matches.
“The condition will begin to apply successively and include all future decisions on permits for sporting events,” the police state.