In Djurgården's 3-0 victory at home against Malmö yesterday, Dick Axelsson received a match penalty after arguing with Fredrik Händemark in the player corridor before the second period, and there is said to have shouted "suck cock" to Händemark.
Axelsson has now reported to the union's disciplinary committee.
This is not the first time this autumn that language use has involved disciplinary action.
During the pre-season, for example, Leksand's Mark Hrivik was punished with suspension and a fine after he shouted "fucking pussy" at Mats Rosseli Olsen in a training match against Frölunda.
"Rock hard recommendations"
However, it is not new rules or new interpretations from the referees that make the players' language use harsh, says SHL's referee manager Tomas Thorsbrink.
- There is nothing that we are tougher with.
But Swedish sports is based on the Swedish Sports Confederation's rock-hard recommendations on language use.
And we see that our sport and some others have big problems with it.
And it is clear in our rules that sexist, ethically abusive and racist language is not acceptable, he says to SVT Sport, and develops further:
- We can also see it in a larger context.
What society do we want to live in?
And we can also see the recruitment need we have.
If you as a parent are to put your boys or girls in hockey, you want you to set a good example.
The fact that there is currently no audience to speak of, can it mean that more things are heard and thus punished?
- Yesterday it was in the player corridor it happened, so it had probably been heard anyway.
But there could be such an aspect.
If there is less noise in the arena, it is clear that more can be heard.
However, Tomas Thorsbrink is clear that the judges have always had clear directives.
- If you hear something sexist, offensive or racist - then it must be prosecuted, he states.