The Norwegian premier league club Stjernen says that it will file a criminal complaint against the opponent’s player. Olivier Dame-Malka beat 18-year-old Sondre Grönl to the canvas with his fists.
A situation that shocked the audience was seen in the Norwegian hockey league match on Thursday. Frisk Asker’s Canadian-French defender Olivier Dame-Malka punched Stjernen’s 18-year-old Sondre Grönlä several times to the head.
of the Norwegian public broadcasting company NRK according to Grönli survived the attack without major injuries. The photo in the story, however, shows how Grönl’s right eye has swollen up to the point of being almost shapeless.
– The doctor said that I was really lucky. They were afraid of a concussion and fractures, but I only got a black eye, Grönli told NRK.
The series of events started in the rink with a tackle situation. The video shows how Grönli and Dame-Malka drift on the hair fins. After a little pushing, Dame-Malka starts beating Grönl with her fists. The situation subsides when Grönli throws himself into the ice holding his face.
– He asked if I wanted to fight. I didn’t say anything to him during the whole situation. Suddenly he dropped his gloves and started punching. I tried to hit his hand to avoid getting hit, but he hit my head several times. I thought that I had to get out so that no harm would come, Grönli said.
Stjernen has reported the incident to the police. Dame-Malka will not be seen in Frisk Asker’s shirt again, as his contract was ending after the match anyway. Dame-Malka has played in the French national team in two World Cups.
Frisk Asker condemned the attack, but explained Dame-Malka’s actions specifically with cultural differences. According to him, it was not about blind violence, but the previous situation had an effect on what happened.
– Of course, that does not justify his action. He comes from tougher leagues where fights are more accepted. Of course we don’t tolerate that in Norwegian ice hockey, sports director Vidar Wold said to NRK and continued that it has been made clear to the players that dropping the gloves will result in a suspension.
Dame-Malka had recently suffered a three-match suspension for hitting an opponent in December. Frisk Asker boss Wald believes that Grönli and Dame-Malka will both be punished for the incident.
– If the gloves are dropped, it will result in a suspension. I think for both.
Speaker of the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association Tage Pettersen condemned what happened.
– We do not accept this. The situation normally goes to disciplinary action, and I predict a severe punishment.