NFF called to a pyro meeting: – Taking serious unwanted incidents and personal injuries

The Directorate of Social Security and Preparation (DSB) has asked the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) to hold a meeting on the matter. It takes place on October 30.

“DSB, through the media, has recorded that there have been unwanted incidents with flames where spectators were injured,” the directorate writes in a letter to the NFF.

Department director Brit Skadberg at DSB tells NTB that one of the conditions for the approval given around pyrotechnics is that the scheme must be evaluated.

– DSB takes seriously unwanted incidents and personal injuries related to the use of pyrotechnic articles. The license is granted on the condition that there is active work from club and federation level to reduce the illegal use of pyrotechnic articles. There is a general goal that it should be safe to go to a football game in Norway at all times, says Skadberg.

As recently as last month, a young boy was shot as a result of what was described as “unreasonable use of pyro by others” during the elite series match between Rosenborg and Molde.

The ten-year-old boy suffered injuries to his ear and arm after being hit by a flame, police later said. Several other people were also beaten.

Rigid frames

After the match in Lerkendal, Rosenborg and the Norwegian Football Association distanced themselves from the events.

In June, Norwegian soccer players received permission from the Norwegian authorities to use flares and smoke boxes during matches. The green light came at the same time with strict restrictions.

– I am very happy that football, together with the supporters, has taken the initiative to create a framework to be able to use pyro sensibly, the Minister of Justice and Emergencies Emilie Enger Mehl told TV 2 at the time.

After a few months of use, the scheme and license must now be evaluated.

– Now that the 2024 football season is almost over, DSB has requested a meeting with the NFF to get an overview of how the NFF will ensure that the conditions and prerequisites for the license, said the director of the Skadberg department to NTB.

– DSB accepts that there is a response to the use of pyrotechnics that is not in accordance with the licensing scheme, and that work is being done actively to reduce the risk so that safety is ensured, she said.

Football on the roof at a meeting

NFF general secretary Karl-Petter Løken, tournament director Nils Fisketjønn and Jens Haugland, managing director of Norsk Toppfotball, will represent football at the meeting on 30 October.

– It has always been the intention that football should have evaluation meetings with the authorities related to the exemption from the current rules for the use of pyrotechnic articles during matches in major football. The NFF, the NTF and the clubs have a joint responsibility to comply with the rules as best they can, without guaranteeing against unwanted events, Løken told NTB.

– It is a common goal for football and the authorities that we have fewer unwanted events, that is, pyrotechnics that create an atmosphere in a safe situation, he said.

The NFF summit refers to the ongoing discussion within the football community about how to keep the promises in practice.

– In that context, it is important to remember that it is not long since the permission was given. It is always true that knowledge and exchange of knowledge will make the clubs better equipped to follow the instructions more effectively, says Løken.

– Does the NFF have clear enough guidelines for the correct use of pyro in Norwegian venues?

– Guidelines have been drawn up in relation to the Norwegian football exemption received before the summer. Clubs are responsible for following up on breaches of the guidelines towards their own supporters, with the exception of activities where flares are thrown onto the pitch and the like. The prosecution and sentencing bodies of the NFF deal with the latter cases, the general secretary responds.