Sports in Sweden have to wait to bring in more spectators to the stands.
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (S) announced today that the government has not made a new decision on easing restrictions and recommendations linked to the coronavirus.
It was a message that was not well received from parts of sports Sweden.
- I can not see it as anything other than a conscious special treatment of culture and sports.
It is obvious that the government does not think we are important while other activities are important.
It is a disaster for culture and sports and unfortunately shows what the government prioritises, says Swedish elite football's general secretary Mats Enquist to the news agency TT, and continues:
- It is devastating for us to have a government that still ignores seeing the difference between how different parts of society are treated with general sweeping reasons.
It is impossible to comprehend, let alone accept within a movement that is going under.
"A little too light-hearted"
His counterpart in Elitfotboll Dam, Tomas Hoszek, is not as sharp in his criticism, but believes that today's decision is sad and regrettable.
And he questions the various messages from the government and the Public Health Agency.
- I probably think that maybe you should be a little clearer in your messages.
It's a little too light-hearted.
At one point, you can have high schools open and see how it develops there.
Now they are opening nursing homes where the real risk group is located.
There I would be more worried about the development than in arenas where you are outdoors and can keep your distance, he says to SVT Sport, and adds:
- I think that Stefan Löfven should have been at the Mall of Scandinavia (mall in Solna) last Saturday and seen what it looked like there.
It was crowded there to get into those premises at all.
How do you look at it?
Nobody says anything about it.
It is not regulated at all.
Were you surprised by today's message?
-
Yes, I can say that.
Based on the signals sent out by the Swedish Public Health Agency, not least Anders Tegnell at today's press conference, they judge that the situation is not different than it was before - when the reliefs were already discussed.
So one is amazed at the double message.
I think it is a strange communication, one could have hoped that it was more substantiated with facts.
How do you feel in the clubs about the issue?
- I have spoken to some clubs today, and it is clear that they are saddened that this is the way it is.
"Feeling frustrated"
Sweden's highest hockey league, SHL, last season had an average audience of 6,050 spectators.
Their CEO Michael Marchal testifies to resignation in the clubs.
- I think you feel a frustration that there was no message today.
I think they had been waiting for, or hoping for anyway.
We must try to relate to what it is and we hope that there will be a message.