Masked supporters visited the homes of players and club managers.
Anton Rödin and his family experienced moments of horror. Photo from 2019. PDO
Brynäs’ time in the Swedish premier league in the SHL is in danger of ending, as the Gävle club is losing in the relegation qualifying series to Malmö with match wins 0–3.
The club announced on Sunday that after Saturday’s match some of Brynäs’ players and their families got into threatening situations.
– It is not acceptable regardless of the sporting conditions. We never accept threats and hatred, the club said in its press release.
One of the players who experienced moments of horror was the team’s captain Anton Rödin.
He hasn’t played a single minute in the relegation qualifiers of the Swedish SHL, but he told the Swede For Expressenthat masked men came knocking on the front door of their home.
– When you see masked people entering the door, you start to panic.
Rödin and his Kristin-his wife has two children, a four-year-old daughter and a ten-month-old son.
Rödin woke up his children when he saw the masked people at the door.
– I had to take the children upstairs and hide them in the attic closet.
– It was hard for the children. We had no idea what kind of people were knocking on our door in the middle of the night. One assumes the worst when the children are at home and protects them at all costs.
Rödin says he is both angry and sad about what happened.
– This has gone too far when children wonder when they have to play hide and seek in the middle of the night. I’m assuming they didn’t mean to hurt, but the next day there’s a knock on the door and the four year old screams again and runs away.
Brynäs sports director Johan Alcén was one of the club’s executives who got into a threatening situation with his family.
According to HockeySverige, Brynäs supporters also visited Alcén’s home.
– Of course, it’s more difficult when my family and children are involved. I wouldn’t wish what we went through on anyone. Experiencing unpleasant things in one’s own home in the middle of the night causes a lump in the stomach and a feeling of panic for many parents, Alcén said in the club’s press release.
Brynäs has filed criminal reports due to the events. However, the club will not reveal what has happened because the police investigation is ongoing.
Currently playing in Brynäs Jussi Olkinuora, Niklas Friman, Mikko Niemelä, Hannes Björninen and Oula Palve. Among them, Olkinuora, Friman and Björninen are familiar from Leijonien’s successful teams.