This case revolves around two Elfsborg football supporters who were charged with violating the Public Order Act during a Europa League qualifying match against Rijeka at Borås Arena in mid-August. Elfsborg, a Swedish Allsvenskan club, had triumphed 2-0 in this home fixture, a victory that propelled them into the group stages of the Europa League. However, the post-match focus shifted from the team’s success to the actions of a few individuals within the supporter stands. The incident involved the illegal use of pyrotechnics, specifically bengal flares, which are prohibited within football stadiums due to safety concerns and the potential for disruption.
The incident was captured on surveillance footage, which showed the two supporters entering the stands and disappearing beneath an overhead flag, a large piece of fabric often draped over sections of the crowd. Moments later, two masked individuals emerged from under the flag, each igniting a bengal flare. These masked figures then retreated back under the flag, and shortly thereafter, the two original supporters reappeared, now without masks. This sequence of events led prosecutors to allege that the two unmasked supporters were the same individuals who ignited the flares while masked.
The supporters denied the charges, admitting that they were the individuals visible in the unmasked portions of the footage but vehemently denying any involvement with the masked flare-lighters. Despite their pleas of innocence, the district court found them guilty based on the circumstantial evidence provided by the surveillance video. The court’s judgment hinged on the timing and sequence of events depicted in the footage, suggesting a clear connection between the supporters and the masked individuals. The absence of any other plausible explanation for the disappearance and reappearance of the supporters in close proximity to the flare-lighting strengthened the prosecution’s case.
The court imposed financial penalties on both individuals. One supporter received a lighter sentence of 2,000 kronor in daily fines, while the other was ordered to pay a substantially higher sum of 18,000 kronor in daily fines. The discrepancy in fines likely reflects differences in the individuals’ income levels, as daily fines in Sweden are calculated based on the offender’s ability to pay. In addition to the individual fines, the court mandated that both supporters jointly pay 20,000 kronor in damages to Elfsborg football club. This sum corresponds to the fine levied against the club by UEFA, the governing body of European football, as a direct consequence of the bengal flare incident. This practice of holding clubs financially accountable for the actions of their supporters is common in European football and aims to incentivize clubs to actively prevent such incidents.
This case highlights the ongoing struggle within football to balance the passionate atmosphere created by supporters with the need to maintain safety and order within stadiums. The use of pyrotechnics, while visually appealing to some, poses significant risks, including burns, smoke inhalation, and the potential for crowd disturbances. Furthermore, such incidents can result in substantial financial penalties for clubs, as demonstrated by the UEFA fine imposed on Elfsborg. This incident is not an isolated occurrence, as evidenced by the related articles mentioning similar incidents involving pyrotechnics at other sporting events, including a golf tournament and another football match.
The case also underscores the challenges faced by authorities in identifying and prosecuting individuals engaged in illegal activities within large crowds. The use of masks and overhead flags in this instance illustrates the deliberate attempts made by some individuals to conceal their identities and evade detection. The reliance on surveillance footage as primary evidence in this case further emphasizes the increasing role of technology in monitoring crowd behavior and enforcing stadium regulations. The articles referencing discussions between football clubs and police about match stoppage protocols further highlight the ongoing efforts to find effective strategies for preventing and responding to such incidents. The balancing act between maintaining a vibrant atmosphere and ensuring safety remains a complex challenge for the sport.
