Linköping’s CEO, Niklas Bjorkmann, resigned after a “growing threat profile”.
Now the SHL and the clubs are taking a stand.
“No matter the circumstances, threats are never accepted, and there we stand united,” the clubs wrote in a statement.
Linköping CEO Niklas Bjorkmann resigned from his position on Friday evening. And this after receiving threats, insults and abuse from his supporters for a long time.
– I was so sad, angry and scared. Then when the family is also affected. He doesn’t deserve it. In my world, it’s just a sport. I understand you can be disappointed, he said to Corinne, but this is too far and completely disastrous.
Joint statement
On Saturday, the SHL clubs came out with a joint statement on the issue.
“Because of yesterday’s announcement regarding the organization of Linköping HC, we in the SHL and the 14 clubs stand for a sport where threats are never quite right. Commitment is what drives our sport and our fans encourage the best thing in the SHL. But threats are not commitment. Regardless of the circumstances, the Threats never accept, and there we stand united. Threats and hatred towards our players, fans, referees or staff is never okay. Together we stand up for hockey,” write the clubs.
“It is important to mark”
All 14 clubs, as well as the SHL, simultaneously posted the statement on their social media channels.
It was a joint initiative. Some other clubs have reached out, and from a central point of view we felt that such situations should not be normalized and it was important that we put a common sign, says Johanna Alba, SHL’s Head of Communications.
