Sheffield. Swedish and Dutch fans on the same march to the European Championship stadium in Sheffield?
The European Football Association (UEFA) came up with the proposal – which was immediately rejected by its yellow-and-blue supporters and the Swedish Football Association.
UEFA may never have understood its supporters. Stick to your football arrangement and we’ll solve the rest, says Jonathan Johnson on site in England.
Swedish fans are ready for the first party. Swedish fans gathered on Friday evening in central Sheffield and more are expected on Saturday.
A record, 2,700, will be in Swedish heels at Bramall Lane. Sweden will be the country with the most fans during the tournament, closely followed by the Netherlands.
The Netherlands will be supported by about 2,000 fans at the premiere against Sweden.
Before the European Championship, UEFA submitted a proposal to the Swedish Football Association. The plan was for fans from Sweden and the Netherlands to hold a joint demonstration and march to the arena together.
However, the proposal was completely rejected.
– Yeah, that’s not exactly what fan culture looks like, and it’s not what you usually do… Both Holland and we were very clear that we wanted a couple of fans to walk in town as we come to the arena at different times of class. They have now accepted it, says Martin Friedman, SvFF’s director of security.
Did you say no for security reasons?
Rather, the reasons for the supportive culture. We don’t think there will be any risks and the British police have not said anything. Our supporters want to show that they belong in Sweden.
Susanne Waenberg-Petersson, head of the Sweden camp, was quick to reject the UEFA proposal.
We have been informed of the proposal, but it is irrelevant. The march is sacred to us. She says UEFA has no control over fans.
Fans that Sportbladet met on Friday night also saw the proposal.
It’s not that Holland and Sweden have the same changing rooms, they play against each other, says Theo Johnson who drove from Jönköping with Jonathan.
We don’t hate each other but we are opponents until the match is settled, says Mats Bengson.
But Lisa Hayden, who was in attendance with a company from Hedemora, saw a point in the proposal:
“I think it was nice to show that we are not enemies,” says Lisa Hidden.
