Viaplay's football expert and former national team star Fredrik Ljungberg turned directly to Anders Svensson during yesterday's broadcast before Sweden's match against Serbia, when a feature about the 2006 World Cup had just been broadcast.
A championship where Sweden's most national team member had to endure hatred and became the nation's scapegoat.
- Anders, if you see this, I apologize on behalf of me and other players.
I still feel bad about this today.
We would have boycotted all the media, we would not have talked at all, if it had made you feel a little better.
I am still ashamed of this and irritate myself enormously, says Ljungberg.
After the World Cup premiere against Trinidad and Tobago where Svensson was criticized for his efforts, Aftonbladet launched a campaign that meant that Kim Källström would play instead of Svensson - and in addition there was massive criticism and hatred of the then Elfsborg player.
Svensson now tells Sportbladet that the memories were brought to life when he saw the apology from Ljungberg:
- I experienced the absolute worst I've been through in my career.
I wish no one else could experience it.
He himself says that he did not receive much support.
- No one stood up for me.
I got it straight in the face from the fans during something that would be the biggest thing you would experience, a World Cup.
The former midfielder says that he could not leave the player hotel in Bremen without a Swedish supporter being there and throwing shit at him immediately.
After the premiere in the World Cup, there were no more minutes for Svensson, he felt bad and the national team management felt that he would have a hard time handling everything.
- I had to avoid Swedish fans and Swedish people in general, he says.