On November 1 announced the police that bag bans would be introduced at major sporting events, major concerts and festivals, as well as all events at national team level.
However, that did not prevent supporters in the Allsvenskan’s last round on Sunday from creating chaos.
Smuggling rockets at the “intimate parts”
The match between Kalmar FF and Djurgården IF had to be stopped for about 20 minutes, after Djurgården’s heel ignited a large amount of pyrotechnics. Björn Andersson is security manager for Kalmar FF and has worked with security for 25 years.
– I have been working with this since it started with security in Allsvenskan arenas.
During his years at work, incidents like yesterday’s have only increased, he says.
– It has increased every year. Now you start with rockets, what is the next step? Something has to happen, says Björn Andersson.
He says that the club works closely with the police to prevent pyrotechnics and other prohibited types of flares or fireworks from being brought into the arena. Among other things through visitation.
At the same time, he opposes using the term “visitation”.
– Because it really isn’t, he says.
– They can hide things on themselves. For a proper body inspection, it is necessary to be able to feel even the intimate parts. There we must not feel.
So they hide pyrotechnics by their genitals?
– Yes, of course. Of course it is in those parts.
People have also brought sticks in through the control. Sticks that the underpants-hidden fireworks could then be attached to inside the arena.
– I am confused as to why they came in, says Björn Andersson.
Criticism of the police: “Worrying”
The directly decisive match between Malmö FF and IF Elfsborg was also about something other than football.
Chaos broke out before the second half kicked off. Elfsborg supporters began tearing down and setting fire to the safety net set up by the away team’s section.
When the referee then started the game, instead, the Malmö supporters ensured that the chaos would continue.
The police are critical of the fact that supporters from Malmö were able to calmly take down the nets that separate the pitch from the stands.
– It shows that in some parts of the arena it is others who decide. It is worrying, he tells TT.
Several were injured: “Does not take into account”
Mats Karlsson, like Björn Andersson, is critical of the searches.
– You seem to be able to bring in any type of object you want, in terms of size and number. Then it is something that needs to be addressed before worse things happen.
Several people in the audience were injured, some suffering burns after being hit by pyrotechnics or fireworks.
– It will be even more because these groups do not take into account any damage reduction measures, says Mats Karlsson.