You keep hearing about Sami football players who experience harassment both on and off the football field. Here, Tromsø IL (TIL) goes into the breach, and fights against Sami unity. On Sunday, TIL became the first team in the Eliteserien to play with a captain’s armband with the Sami colours. Now Stabæk is following suit. The captain’s armband with the Sami colours. Photo: Knut Anders Finnset In the semi-final against Rosenborg on Wednesday evening, the captain of Stabæk women, Melissa Bjånesøy, donned the captain’s armband with Sami colours. – We have tried to be open and inclusive, and tried to shine a light on more than just the football match. So I am very proud that we are still capturing opportunities like this, says Bjånesøy. After a 2–1 victory against Rosenborg, Stabæk are now ready for the cup final against Brann on 5 November. To prevent homophobia Just a few weeks ago, Vålerenga supporters went out against joking among their own fans. This is exactly what Stabæk women’s team manager Richard Jansen wants to put an end to. – I hope we get rid of joint welding and joiking and that type of thing in the stands in Norway, because unfortunately it still is, says Jansen. Team manager for Stabæk women, Richard Jansen wants an end to incitement. Photo: news That is why he took action after TIL adopted Sami colored captain’s aprons. – We think it’s really cool what Tromsø is doing, so I called community relations in TIL, Tom Høgli and wondered if he had a captain’s armband that we could take over, and he did, says Jansen. – It is part of football. Football must be inclusive, he asserts. 300 Sami colored captain’s ties Today there are only two copies of the captain’s tie. These are owned by TIL, and now Stabæk. But project manager at RomsaDál, Elle Nystad, says that they plan to order far more. Elle Nystad in RomsaDál. Photo: Eva Ersfjord – The plan is to order 100-300 captain’s bandages, so that we can distribute and give them away, both here in the city and outside, says Nystad. The reason why the Sami colored captain’s armbands were made is because TIL wanted something that symbolizes that they support the Sami population, Nystad says. – And also for visibility, as well as inspiring other football teams who experience harassment, racism or discrimination against Sami people in their city or on their team. Encourages the use of the captain’s armband And this has served its purpose, when Stabæk chooses to use the captain’s armband. Captain Bjånesøy encourages other teams in the top series and the elite series to adopt it. Melissa Bjånesøy says that the purpose is to shed light on the challenges we face. Photo: Private – If it can give something, then it is absolutely worth it. At least it’s something I’m very proud of, and which gives my role a lot more meaning, says Captain Bjånesøy. – We want to shine a light on the challenges we have and ensure that everyone is seen and everyone is treated well and equally.
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Stabæk women use Sami colored captain’s armbands – news Sápmi
