Responding to criticism: “Unacceptable”

There are three Swedish elite clubs punish by banning flags and flags at their matches after events in the stands.

The competition committee decided to punish Djurgården, Luleå and Troja-Ljungby.

Something that was not seen with happy eyes by the supporters or the players involved.

– Just delete it and bring extra flags, Luleå star player Linus Omark told NSD earlier this week.

Now the ice hockey association responds to the criticism – and confirms that they are not against the culture of supporters.

“We’re not. On the contrary. The supporters and the atmosphere they create are one of the best and most important parts of the arena experience. The ban on supporter articles is just about the fact that crimes have been committed that we cannot tolerate in our stadiums. It is simple. Without concealing and lighting illegal pyrotechnics to protect supporters’ belongings, the bans would not have been issued. “, writes the association on their website.

“That’s why the bans have been aimed at the sector”

In addition, the association writes that they want to maintain both safety and security at ice hockey games. There, the association believes that there is a risk of pyrotechnics damaging the same.

The fact that the federation chose to ban flags – because there is a mask under the flags – is something that hides the view of camera monitors and security personnel.

“Basically, it’s simple. Swedish ice hockey will never accept that crimes are committed in our areas in connection with ice hockey games.“

They also answer the question of why general punishment is appropriate rather than through the exclusionary model.

“In cases where the disorder has occurred under the protection of a sponsor article, the organizer cannot identify the person behind the disorder in a legally secure manner. Therefore, the prohibitions have been aimed at the region where the disorder occurred, to facilitate the organizer’s security work.“

The ban applies to five home games for Luleå. Five games away for Troja-Ljungby and ten games away for Djurgården.