It was on Sunday during the Stockholm derby between Djurgården and AIK that the events took place.
Among other things, Bersant Celinas in connection with AIK’s 1–0 goal stirred up emotions and leaders and players from both teams stood in a huge group and quarreled and putted on each other. The player has indicated that he celebrated with his family.
Another topic that drew attention has been a banner from Djurgården’s short side with the message “Death and hate to AIK”.
– The first view is that it is generally a message that we do not want to associate with Swedish football in general. It also violates our regulations, because we don’t want to see such messages. It doesn’t belong there and I don’t see the purpose, says Swedish Football Association chairman Martin Fredman to SVT Sport.
– The police have concluded that the message itself does not constitute a crime, which means they are not doing anything about it.
“It shouldn’t have come up at all”
Should it be taken down?
– If you want to be crass, maybe it shouldn’t have come up at all. It’s just like with pyrotechnics in terms of balance. What would have happened if people had been sent up to remove it? Would that make the situation worse?
– I assume that the organizer (Djurgården, home team) has discussed the matter, but these are the kinds of things we need to get answers from them. And if you knew in advance that it would come up.
What can the penalties be?
– I cannot comment on that. First we need to get answers to these questions from the organizer.
Fredman thus explains that he is also awaiting reports from both judges and delegates to get a more detailed picture. The head of security also says that the organizer himself thought about the placement of relatives during the match. A union meeting is held on Friday.
The association distances itself
The Swedish Football Association’s general secretary Andrea Möllerberg condemns the events in connection with the Stockholm derby.
– We saw expressions and behavior that do not belong in our football environments, elements we strongly distance ourselves from. We are very understanding of the many negative reactions that we have seen after the match, she says in one statement.
– We are constantly working to create safe match environments for players, managers, referees and supporters alike. Because that requires respect, which was lacking in several areas in Sunday’s derby.