The wealth of invention is great and organizers, security personnel and police seem to be facing an impossible task.
It is forbidden to light flares and flares in Swedish sports arenas, as well as to shoot firecrackers. Nevertheless, the fires are a common occurrence at big matches in the men’s national league.
On Sunday was held the prestigious derby between Djurgården and Hammarby at the Tele2 arena in Stockholm. When Hammarby defended a 2-0 lead with a quarter of the game remaining, parts of Djurgården’s heel erupted – deafening blasts and flares were then thrown from the stands onto the field.
Flares, bang shots and other pyrotechnic pieces are not allowed at Allsvenskan matches – yet they occur during most big matches. Photo: Henrik Isaksson/TT
– I want to emphasize that this is the organizer’s responsibility. We can only assist them. We have had a dialogue with the clubs before the season and we have also conducted a dialogue with the supporter groups via our supporter police, said Fredrik Ohlquist, deputy police operations manager, before Monday’s high-risk match between IFK Göteborg and AIK.
After the scandalous scenes at the Tele2 arena, DN has unsuccessfully sought security officers in Djurgården and Hammarby to ask the question of how supporters manage to smuggle so many prohibited, explosive and flammable products into the stands.
Malmö FF’s head of security Peter Narbe has a theory:
– It is our opinion that the general way to bring things in is to smuggle them in the clothes. Preferably on parts of the body where you are not allowed to feel, he says.
We have heard that it has become more common for women to smuggle in pyrotechnics?
– We have also heard of that rumor, but I don’t know how true it is. After all, we have women who work with security as well. That is the way we can relate to this.
“It is our opinion that the general way to bring things in is to smuggle them in the clothes,” says Malmö FF’s head of security Peter Narbe. Photo: Jörgen Jarnberger/Bildbyrån
At the same time, Peter Narbe believes that it is important to ask who and which ones are smuggling the prohibited products into the arenas. Control must be stricter at the entrances to the sections where die-hard supporters and so-called ultras stand, as it is mainly in such sections that there are problems with fire and firecrackers.
The team’s tifo groups, i.e. the supporters who bring out the magnificent banners and pennants that usually frame the big teams’ matches in the Allsvenskan, are sometimes accused of smuggling flares and bangers when they are allowed in before matches to be able to prepare their demonstrations.
These are not baseless accusations. When IFK Göteborg and Gais met in the Swedish Cup 2019, Blåvitt’s supporters had hidden boxes of New Year’s rockets in a storage room even before the arena opened to the public.
Fines or imprisonment for a maximum of six months – that can be the punishment for those who light pyrotechnics during matches without permission. Photo: Petter Arvidson/Bildbyrån
Nevertheless, Malmö’s Peter Narbe believes that such events are exceptions. Mainly, he believes that the smuggling takes place at the entrances. The fact that it is so difficult to stop the pyrotechnics is due to the fact that no body search actually takes place – but only a security search.
– You are not allowed to strip people of their clothes and it is not a body search. We have to comply with the law and then this is called a protective visit.
Are more resources needed for visitations?
– No, it is not a matter of resources. There are legal conditions that limit the visits. It is a limitation in substance which is simply about the possibility of finding something when you are not allowed to squeeze people between the legs.
Facts. Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics originated in China and India about two thousand years ago. It is the collective name for explosive items that contain pyrotechnic charges.
This could, for example, be about fireworks, emergency flares or bang shots. In a sports context, the most common pyrotechnic piece is so-called Bengal fires, which can be several thousand degrees hot.
Anyone who possesses or uses pyrotechnics without permission from the Police Authority during sporting events can be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of six months.
Sources: NE, the Police
Show more
Show less
Read more:
Stopping matches as a protest – new Swedish football trend?
Fireworks and Football: A Flare for the Dramatic!
Well, folks, it seems that football isn’t just about goals and glory anymore. No, no, it’s about rockets and ruckus, especially over in Sweden! Who knew that the roaring fans at a derby would be more inclined to light flares than lightsabers? I mean, if they’re going to act out Star Wars, at least let’s make it a bit more visually appealing, shall we?
The organizers, the police, and, dare I say, the poor security personnel have the impossible task of juggling a match, a crowd, and what appears to be a firework competition. The law says no flares, but the fans seem to say, “Challenge accepted!” It’s almost admirable, like watching a magician pull a rabbit out of a hat. Just replace the rabbit with a few hundred flares…
Take last Sunday, for instance—the prestigious derby match between Djurgården and Hammarby. Oh, what a sight! When Hammarby defended a 2-0 lead with just a quarter of the game left, the Djurgården fans decided it was time to add some fireworks into the mix. I’d like to think they were trying to light up the scoreboards, but it seems they just wanted to light up the pitch!
Safety First, Right?
Now, I do have to hand it to Fredrik Ohlquist, Sweden’s very own deputy police operations manager, who reminds us all that this chaos falls back on the organizers. Talk about passing the hot potato! Their strategy? “We’ve had dialogues.” Oh yes, because nothing gets a flammable crowd under control quite like a nice sit-down chat over biscuits and tea!
When asked how these fans manage to smuggle in all the explosive goodies, Malmö FF’s head of security Peter Narbe seems to have cracked the code. Apparently, their top-notch strategy is to… wait for it… shove them in their clothes! A very creative solution, I must say. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say we should just outfit all stadiums with metal detectors at the gates that also check for parenting skills, clearly these fans could use some guidance!
Women, Fireworks, and a Crowd!
Now it’s important to note, Peter hinted at an interesting trend where women are reportedly involved in the smuggling game. Well, that’s one way to highlight gender equality in football! Everyone’s getting in on the action, and by action, I mean fireworks…
But what if the real issue lies at the gates? You see, there is no ‘full-body’ search at matches; it’s more of a “I’m just here to touch your pockets and hope for the best” type of check. If the rules say you can’t squeeze between a fan’s legs, well, you can’t exactly expect to find the flaming evidence in their pants, can you?
The Tifo Tactics
Then, of course, there are the tifo groups—the creative souls behind those massive banners we love. Unfortunately, some have caught the ire of spectators who suspect them of sneaking in the pyrotechnics before matches, like kids sneaking candy before dinner. And remember the infamous “storage room” incident? Boxed New Year’s rockets? Treats before the match? It’s like a bad idea mixed with a bad combination of both fireworks and football!
The Bottom Line
So, let’s recap: no fuss, no muss, just a bunch of pyrotechnics showing up uninvited to a football game. The penalty for lighting up the pitch is tough—fines or up to six months in prison—but with fans holding their privates dear, it seems these rules are just another light in the sky, flickering in the expectations of law enforcement.
In conclusion, it’s clear that pyrotechnics and football have entwined to create a captivating spectacle, though perhaps not the one the organizers had in mind. But hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Just maybe not with a flare this time.
