AIK Faces Disciplinary Action for Safety
Background of Incident
Earlier this year, a match at Strawberry Arena between AIK and IFK Norrköping escalated when objects were thrown at an assistant referee. This disruption raised serious concerns over fan behavior and stadium safety protocols.
Disciplinary Action by Committee
The incident prompted two officials to report AIK to the disciplinary committee of the Swedish Football Association. After a thorough review, the committee concluded that AIK had not implemented adequate measures to protect match officials and players, resulting in a mandate for the installation of protective nets.
Requirements for Future Matches
The ruling requires protective nets to be erected in front of sections 111 to 115 at Strawberry Arena for four upcoming home games, scheduled between May 18 and July 31, 2025. This decision was influenced by prior occurrences of similar disturbances, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures at sporting events.
AIK's Prior Attempts
In the months leading up to this ruling, AIK had already undertaken various safety measures, including the installation of nets during a match against Malmö FF. However, the inconsistent application of these protocols in following matches did not meet the expectations of the disciplinary committee, leading to mandatory additional precautions.
