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Of: Jonathan Nilsson, Tomas Ros
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Photo: PETER HOLGERSSON / BILDBYRÅN
Linköping has been badly affected by the crown bud.
More than 20 players and leaders of the first team are infected, according to information to Sportbladet.
– So far we do not comment on the exact figures, but it is clear that it is a difficult situation, says the general director of the LHC, Niklas Persson.
The crown alarm at Linköpings HC started to appear after the match against Skellefteå last Saturday.
– We played at home against Djurgården, we went directly to Skellefteå. Bus, flight, party and then bus to Luleå. Flight and bus. It’s hard to keep your distance, says Linköping coach Bert Robertsson.
Since then, the outbreak has spread and the LHC’s planned match against Oskarshamn on Thursday has been postponed. After that, both the match that should have been played yesterday, against HV71, and the next meeting with Luleå on Tuesday have been postponed.
According to information from Sportbladet, there are more than 20 infected in the first team, both players and leaders included.
– So far we do not comment on exact figures and as I said before, we are still collecting information. We are still waiting for all the test responses and before we have all the information on the table, we do not want to comment on the number, says LHC General Manager Niklas Persson.
Not trained since Tuesday
Team A’s daily activities are currently on hold. The players did their last joint training session on Tuesday and the plan is to start over on Thursday.
– That’s what was said. So it can be postponed to the future, but that’s the plan.
On Thursday evening, the LHC is scheduled to meet Malmö at home.
When daily activities stop for more than a week, will it be sports justice when you have to start playing games?
– That is what it is and we have to relate to the situation. We must assume our responsibility for what we can influence right now, the players and leaders are very careful to take care of hygiene and follow the directives that exist. Then we get to train properly. It’s a bit unfortunate that there is a national team break (after the next round on Saturday), so we’ll probably figure it out.
How do you see the discussion about closing the league this season?
– Of course, I understand that the discussion arises. It should definitely show up now. In this case, it is us and Djurgården who have had to advance the matches, but it may appear later. It also depends on where the team is at the table. If we had ended up in this situation in the middle of a battle, it wouldn’t have been fun. Had they managed to postpone the games and what will happen then? So I understand the discussion, says Niklas Persson.
Photo: PETER HOLGERSSON / BILDBYRÅN
Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Linköping.
“That’s what is a little scary”
How do you feel sick?
– There are really very mild symptoms in everyone. Then there are two or three who have developed a fever. That’s what is a bit scary about this and why we pause everyone, even those who have no symptoms.
Could you have done something different yourself to avoid this?
– You’ve found your way somewhere and we’re trying to figure out how. But we take care of ourselves according to protocol and we haven’t had anyone sick before this. It is difficult to do something different.
How tough are you now?
– Not funny at all. We want to play and we shouldn’t do it right now. This is not a situation that we have experienced before, there is no prior experience from which to seek support. But we have to make the best of the situation and handle it, says Niklas Persson.
Djurgården and Skellefteå have also been diagnosed with club infections. According to information from Sportbladet, SHL management has a meeting tonight with medical experts.
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