Ice hockey: More clubs are punished with flag bans – Djurgården appeals the decision

After supporters hid themselves under “overhead flags” (OH flags), and then set off pyrotechnic pieces, the Swedish Hockey Association‘s competition committee has now issued more bans.

Västerås IK has had a flag ban since then, but now Luleå, Djurgården and Troja-Ljungby will have “supporters’ articles banned”. Djurgården were banned for ten away games, Troja-Ljungby for five away games and Luleå for five home games.

“Supporting articles in this context means: all kinds of overhead flags, flags, flags on sticks, pieces of cloth, sheets of paper, etc.“, he says on the association’s website. They also write:

“The reason for the decisions to ban supporters’ articles is that they have been used as a mask, to prevent individuals who have engaged in irregular behavior in connection with ice hockey games from being identified secured by law.“.

Djurgården will appeal

The ban against Djurgården is due to a match against Västerås IK where the fire alarm​​​​​​was triggered after pyrotechnics went off. Djurgården does not stand behind the decision and will appeal.

– It is not a decision that we accept. We from Djurgården will of course be appealing the decision. It came very recently for us too so we don’t have time to review everything 100 percent, we have a meeting in the evening and go through the decision so we can respond provided, Djurgården security manager Michael Väyrynen told SVT Sport.

What do you think the consequences will be?

– It’s hard to say, but the supporters are an important part of the sport, especially those of us who have a lot left behind. It is difficult to speculate what the outcome will be.

Do you think lifting the ban will stop people from wearing masks?

– The people who want to do things will do things whether there is a decision or not.

– Many talk about general punishment that few people commit the crimes and hundreds of supporters should not be punished. It is sad that many others are affected by the behavior of individuals. Pyrotechnic displays are not a good thing, especially in indoor areas. Those who commit the crimes must be punished and prosecuted. We are here to help.