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“A big disappointment”
Of: Gustaf Ränkeskog, Jonna Andersson, Mattias Karlsson
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The government postpones the decision to allow 500 spectators at sporting events.
It was announced at a press conference on Thursday.
– It’s a big disappointment. We have done everything possible and have shown that we can take responsibility. We feel abandoned, says Swedish Elite Football Secretary General Mats Enquist.
The proposal to increase the audience limit from a maximum of 50 people to 500 people was presented on Tuesday of last week.
But at today’s government meeting, the decision was made to change the audience limit.
– The restrictions will remain the same. We really wanted to do the extensions today, but the space doesn’t exist. We have always been clear that an exception can only be made if it is possible. No matter how difficult and boring it may be, yearn for a more normal everyday life. Sweden is not the same without matches with a massive audience, we know that the clubs are having a hard time, says the Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren.
Photo: JOHANNA LUNDBERG / BILDBYRÅN
“Sad message to give”
The Swedish Public Health Agency recommended not to make decisions about changes, referring to the current situation, where the number of new corona cases is increasing again in Stockholm and Uppsala, among other places. A new decision will be made as soon as possible.
– I understand that this is a message that disappoints many, I had as I hoped that today we could make a decision about the replacement. It’s a sad message to give, says Culture and Sports Minister Amanda Lind.
She says the government is not ruling out new measures to financially support the sport in addition to the support packages that have already been decided. Sports will receive 1 billion SEK during the second half of 2020.
– It’s a big disappointment. We have done everything possible and have shown that we can take responsibility. We feel abandoned. Now the decision is in the hands of the government. All we can do is wait for the next message, says Mats Enquist, SEF secretary general.
“I had given some faith in the future”
Fully Swedish clubs share SEF’s disappointment.
– Of course, it is understood that we are in a pandemic. But it is sad that we are not taking steps in the right direction. Now the government has a great responsibility to ensure support for those affected by the effects of the pandemic, says Fredrik Söderberg, deputy director of the AIK club.
He has previously said that he will continue to play without an audience until full stands are allowed. How do you think now
– Not a problem at the moment. The big problem is that we are not moving forward and until we do, we will not be able to reach a full opening. It is sad that there is such a strong focus on what AIK thinks on this matter.
Djurgården sporting director Bosse Andersson was also disappointed with the news.
– Clearly you will be disappointed. We have played little more than a year without an audience, they thought we could loosen up a bit. It would have given a little faith in the future, says Bosse Andersson.
How long-awaited was this message?
– If you are realistic, you will have noticed that the spread of the infection has increased. But they still hoped it was a positive message, now it turned into a negative one.
How is Djurgården affected by the fact that there will be no 500 in the audience cap?
– In the short term, we can handle 2020, we have prepared for matches without an audience in 2020. It will be more worrying for next season. It is likely that all clubs will find it difficult to imagine another year without an audience.
✓ The text is updated.
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