The 4-1 victory over Sundsvall means that Häcken is four games away from completing a Swedish sensation. Djurgården, who face AIK on Sunday, are six points behind with one game less played. CAN SMILE: Häcken coach Per-Mathias Høgmo. Photo: MATHIAS BERGELD / BILDBYRÅN Then there is also reason to cheer with the supporters. A couple of the players lifted their children down from the stands to celebrate on the pitch. Blair Turgott’s daughter had the pleasure of “scoring” in front of the home supporters’ section G. However, this breaks the rule of the Swedish Football Association and Swedish Elite Soccer (Sef) not to have unauthorized persons on the pitch. Since Häcken has been punished for similar incidents in the past, the fine will probably increase to NOK 24,000, writes Aftonbladet. – Our security guards allow it when the players themselves pick up the children. It is one of the most beautiful things we have. There are not only fantastic footballers, but also ordinary people and dads, says Häcken’s marketing manager Elin Öst Sandström to the newspaper. – Agreeing with one idiot General Secretary Mats Enquist in Swedish elite football explains to news that it is purely security considerations that make the rule exist. – The rule is there because there have been some cases where things have been thrown when children are present. In the end, the rule was introduced for safety’s sake. It is sad that the rule exists, but it is pure security, says Enquist. – Can the risk be assessed on a case-by-case basis? – That’s how it was before, but it turned out that it didn’t work so well. We can consider going back on it, and there is a club manager’s meeting now on Tuesday. But as I said, the rule was introduced since there have been some incidents. It was perhaps calmer yesterday (Saturday), but unfortunately one idiot is enough, says Enquist and adds: – There is always criticism with such cases, but what would have happened if someone had thrown in a heavy shot? What would have been said then? ANSWERS: Mats Enquist. Photo: JOHANNA LUNDBERG / BILDBYRÅN Want to pay Sandström, for his part, believes that Häcken as a club and organizer can assess this risk. She wants the responsibility to lie with the clubs. – When the club has been fined in the past, it is based on the fact that the children are “unauthorised”. For us, the children are not unauthorized. We make our assessment that we can control it, and that there is no risk whatsoever, says Sandström to news. – Häcken has been fined for similar offenses in the past. Then you do know that there will be a new fine? – We have reasoned that it is fines that we take. It will be the wrong focus for us to spend resources on it. We’d rather spend money on other things, but if they fine them, they can do it, says Sandström. A possible fine will probably be quickly forgotten if Häcken completes the hunt for gold this autumn. Høgmo took over Häcken last year to avoid relegation. Now he has been declared a genius in the neighboring country. Häcken’s sporting director Martin Ericsson recently made headlines when he stated that Høgmo was capable of coaching Real Madrid. IMPORTANT: Midfielder Even Hovland has been central to Häcken this season. On Saturday, he also got on the scoreboard. Photo: MATHIAS BERGELD / BILDBYRÅN It is six years since Norway’s “project Høgmo” ended after ten wins, seven draws and 18 losses. – It’s a bit like being a top coach, and I’ve experienced that in a career spanning over 32 years. You’re a hero one day, and then you’re “deprecated as an idiot” the next. What may have changed over time is the shorter frequency of when you are declared a genius. As a coach, it’s about balancing this, Høgmo told news earlier in October.
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Celebrate victory with the children – risk punishment – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
