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HOOLIGANISM

Arrests made after football violence

Police were forced to call in reinforcements for an Allsvenskan match in Malmö after rival supporters clashed with the club installing metal detectors outside the stadium as a security measure

Arrests made after football violence

Fans of Malmö FF and AIK had previously done battle in the Lilla Torg square of the city on Saturday night. They were joined by supporters, known as Ultras, of Helsingborg and Danes from across the water for a brawl which resulted in arrests and 15 brought into custody.

A hotel where fans of AIK from Stockholm were staying was later cordoned off to ensure the safety of the travelling support from the capital.

On Sunday the violence escalated when fans encountered each other again in the popular Ölcaféet bar which is packed with Malmö supporters on match days.

A heavy police presence was soon on the scene to break up the dispute. Helicopters were also dispatched to monitor events from the sky before, during and after the match between the long-standing Allsvenskan rivals.

Officials from Malmö FF football club installed metal detectors for the first time in their history outside the stadium as an extra security measure.

“It’s part of security work that began after an incident against Helsingborg in 2011. We decided on doing this a month ago,” Per Nilsson, the club’s CEO told local paper Sydsvenskan.

Violence between ‘ultras’ of Malmö and Skåne rivals Helsinborg have become increasingly common. Last year, Malmö FF player Simon Thern was the subject of a death threat during a match between the two sides in Helsingborg.

“The information we have is that 2300 AIK supporters have come for the match which is more than for the games against Helsingborg,” added Per Nilsson.

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FOOTBALL

Fights, riots and smoke bombs mar Swedish football derby

Sunday’s football derby between Stockholm area clubs AIK and Hammarby devolved into minor chaos, according to police.

Fights, riots and smoke bombs mar Swedish football derby
AIK fans light flares during Sunday's match. Photo: Sören Andersson/TT
The restaurant area surrounding Friends Arena saw at least one violent attack, three mini-riots and a number of smoke bomb attacks. 
 
Following the match in Solna, which AIK won 2-0, one fan was severely beaten in an attack that left him unconscious. According to the police report, the incident occurred outside of a restaurant in the Råsunda area and the male victim had to be transported by ambulance to the hospital. The victim is in his mid-40s and suffered “serious injuries”, police said. 
 
Police also responded to reports that unruly fans threw smoke bombs into one or more restaurants, and officers additionally had to contend with “three violent riots and numerous fights”. Some football fans also reportedly threw rocks at the police. 
 
 
The police report said that two people were arrested on riot charges, but no arrests had been made for the violent attack on the 40-something male victim or an unspecified separate attack that caused another victim to be transported to hospital. 
 
Violence and riots are not uncommon at Swedish football matches, especially when rivals like AIK and Hammarby face off. An August 2017 match between AIK and Djurgården, another bitter Stockholm area rival, was marred by violent clashes before the action even got underway and ultimately ended with 171 people being held in temporary police custody. 
 
In another incident, an October 2016 derby between Djurgården and Hammarby was suspended and six people were arrested for rioting after supporters threw flares and projectiles at security personnel then climbed the barricades. The referee removed players from the pitch and suspended the game for almost 30 minutes while police worked to end the confrontation.
 
Scuffles even broke out between supporters of the same teams during an U21 match earlier that year. A month later, Sweden legend Henrik Larsson and his son were targeted by angry fans following a Helsingborg match, after which Zlatan Ibrahimovic recommended violent fans should “step inside an Octagon cage and settle it there” instead.
 
 
In 2014, football violence hit a shocking new level when a 44-year-old male Djurgården fan died from head injuries he suffered during a mass brawl between Djurgården and Helsingborgs IF. Hooligans have also attacked players and referees on the pitch, caused fires to break out in the stands and turned their ire on police.
 
In an effort to try to cut down on the problems the Swedish government has brought in a ban on wearing masks at stadiums.
 
 
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