Supporters of Hammarby, AIK, Linköping, Eskilstuna United and FC Rosengaard held a meeting with the management at Elitefootball Dam (EFD) on August 26, 2022. Thomas Husek, Viktoria Gehlen and Thomas Alvin represented EFD.
It was a constructive and rewarding meeting as committed supporters of the aforementioned teams had to explain the significance of the final round of the OBOS Damallsvenskan which takes place this weekend. Here we were able to make history together. The final round of the Women’s League was animated and all the fans got a chance to support their team in the venue. Well behaved by all parties involved who were willing to cooperate.
In the meeting with the EFD we also had time to highlight how we want to develop fan culture on the women’s side, as the weekend matches are a very important part. We want to support you right away! We don’t want to see the days and times of the televised matches and the fans. 18.00 is, among other things, something we have been very critical of.
We explained that there are now many teams that have women’s and men’s teams in the top two leagues. It is important that women’s elite football and Swedish elite football (SEF, men’s equivalent) are in sync with each other. That they ensure that the men’s and women’s teams, who have two teams in the top two leagues, do not play on the same date. Not having fans having to choose between a men’s team or a women’s team is a hugely important piece of the puzzle in working for a more equal football.
We have also highlighted that we believe the highest women’s league should be allowed to pick the match days before the men’s Superettan. Damallsvenskan is one of the most quality leagues in the world. The men’s Allsvenskan and women’s Allsvenskan shall be the two leagues where the order of play is decided first, followed by the Superettan and Elitetatta. Leagues must be concurrent and we want those responsible within EFD and SEF to spend time and energy on this, out of respect for the clubs and their committed supporters. A specific working group should be appointed for this very goal.
The management at Elitfotboll Dam was very attentive during the meeting in August 2022. It was a constructive and forward looking meeting where we also decided we would have a follow up meeting. That EFD will be coordinating with us for next year’s season, see 2023. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.
We are now sitting here with a worse schedule than last year. All big matches between the supposed top teams are on weekdays. All Friday matches are scheduled for 18.00. Teams that feature teams in two major leagues have the majority of the men’s and women’s clashes. Up to four or five in the spring alone.
We hope you can do it right again. We’re now in a good time with that criticism, well in advance of the series’ premiere date. We’d like to see a new meeting as soon as possible where we can present proposals for solutions and further demonstrate how important it is to hear from supporters. We would like representatives from SEF, SvFF, Viaplay Soccer, Sportexpressen and Discovery Soccer to attend the meeting.
Hoping to get a quick and solution-oriented feedback
Getingarna, BK Häcken
Black ladies, AIK
Skytteholm Radio, AIK
The future is ours, Hamrabi
Hammarby women’s soccer team – Hammarby
Bajenkompaniet, Hammarby
MalmöIPerna, FC Rosengård
Umeå IK Battalion, Umeå IK
Tuna 12, Eskilstuna United
Lion Pack, Linköping FC
Seniors LFC, Linköping FC