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The EU entry ban was added in March to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Since then it has been extended several times, most recently until October 31, which has had significant effects for Sports Sweden. The Swedish soccer masters’ international match against Russia was played in Moscow and Östersund lost a biathlon World Cup competition.
The government has wanted a common line in the EU, but is now following in the footsteps of countries that, however, have made exceptions for elite athletes. The exemption proposal is now being submitted for consultation and Interior Minister Mikael Damberg (S) estimates that it could be in force in mid-November.
Couldn’t this message have come sooner?
– We still want a common EU line and we continue to work for it, but we also observe that other countries make different interpretations and so it is not reasonable for Sweden to be left out, says Mikael Damberg.
He believes that the EU decision has not been entirely clear on the question of how it should be used in practice.
– So many countries have made exceptions that it is reasonable that Sweden also applies the regulations in this way, says the Home Secretary.
Minister of Culture and Sports Amanda Lind (MP) claims that the uncertainty about the regulation has caused problems for the sports movement.
– This message means that all planned international elite competitions can be held, says and continues:
– Allowing elite athletes to enter is considered to pose a very limited risk of further spread of infection.
Sports organizations have long been pushing for the rules for entry bans to be changed.
– The consequence of Sweden having a system in which some countries are not welcome is that they move sporting events to other countries. We cannot afford to fold our arms, the president of the Swedish Sports Confederation, Björn Eriksson, previously told DN.
Read more: The travel ban forced Sweden to play international matches in Moscow.
