The case in summary: The police have issued a restraining order to eight supporters, four from each club, to prevent violent incidents during the local match between Sarpsborg 08 and Fredrikstad. Four of the supporters refuse to accept the visiting ban and have the case dealt with urgently in Søndre Østfold district court. Supporters from all over the country have collected over NOK 10,000 for legal help for those involved. The decision from the district court is expected the day before the start of the match. The supporter “Morten” insists that he and his friends have no intention of causing trouble, but just want to support their team from the stands. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – I have followed Fredrikstad land and beach around. The fact that I won’t be able to go to this autumn’s happening is absolutely sick, I have no words. That’s what “Morten” says, one of the FFK supporters who has been banned from staying at the Sarpsborg stadium on Saturday night. Then Sarpsborg 08 and Fredrikstad Fotballklubb will meet for what is likely to be a hot local match in the Eliteserien. The supporter wishes to remain anonymous, but news knows his identity. Morten has followed the club in his heart for 17 years. But he is refused to see Fredrikstad against the rivals from Sarpsborg on Saturday. Photo: Jan Kenneth Bråten/news Wants to prevent violence The police call the settlement a risky battle. In an attempt to prevent riots, the police on Tuesday sent letters banning visitors to eight supporters. Four from Sarpsborg and four from Fredrikstad. Police attorney John Skarpeid in the East police district has written the decisions on the restraining order. Photo: Jan Kenneth Bråten/news There they were told that they are not allowed to be in the stadium or the surrounding areas between 4pm and 12pm on the day of the match. – By using this tool, we believe that we can prevent unwanted incidents before and during the match, says police attorney John Skarpeid in the East police district. Skarpeid refers to a decision from the Supreme Court which authorizes the police to use restraining orders as a tool. – It is far back in time. But this is a tool we may have to use to a greater extent to prevent a bad development if violence constantly occurs during these risk struggles. Previously punished On Wednesday, the police attorney said that the eight supporters have either been previously punished or have ongoing criminal cases involving violence. The cases stem, among other things, from the first match between Sarpsborg 08 and Fredrikstad in April, and from the match between Fredrikstad and Odd at the end of August. There, an Odd supporter suffered a fractured face after being punched. – I don’t recognize myself or any of my friends in any of this. We have never sought out a disturbance, and it seems that they have only selected random people to reassure others, says Morten. Urgent treatment Morten and three other supporters refuse to accept the visiting ban. Søndre Østfold District Court urgently processes the cases to get a decision before the match. Already on Thursday, two days after they received the restraining order, two of them met in the district court. The other two will appear in court on Friday. – I believe this is an abuse of power by the police and that we are pre-judged. I chose to take this to court because I want to see my team play, and because it is the right thing to do, he says. Morten’s lawyer Siri Ross Wessel says that they disagree with the reasoning from the police. – The police believe they have reason to believe that there will be trouble at the match on Saturday. We do not agree with that. My client believes there is no reason to believe that he will commit disorderly conduct or make noise. Morten in conversation with lawyer Siri Ross Wessel in Søndre Østfold District Court on Thursday. Photo: Jan Kenneth Bråten/news Collecting money The case has caused great debate among football supporters on social media. A fund has also been set up to collect money for legal aid for those involved. On Thursday evening, more than NOK 10,000 had been collected. The financial support comes from supporters from all over the country. – I’ve been down since I got the restraining order. But the whole of Supporter-Norway has our back. It helps that I want to take this fight, says Morten. The decisions from the district court are expected on Friday – just over a day before the start of the match. Morten is quite clear that he will not seek trouble if he still gets to go to the match. – The only noise me and my friends are interested in is the noise from the stands when we sing for our team. Published 26/09/2024, at 18.46
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Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg supporters go to court to watch local matches in the Eliteserien – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
