Scandal in Swedish football
Pyro excesses and burning artificial turf during a relegation game
November 30, 2025 – 11:54 a.mReading time: 1 min.
The situation escalates in the relegation game between IFK Norrköping and Örgryte IS. Pyrotechnics lead to several stoppages of play and a burning artificial turf.
In the relegation game between IFK Norrköping and Örgryte IS, the massive use of pyrotechnics led to a chaotic outcome. The game was stopped four times and the artificial turf caught fire, further exacerbating an already tense situation. Despite the incidents, Norrköping was relegated from Sweden’s top league after 15 years, while Örgryte celebrated promotion.
The game in Norrköping had to be interrupted for the first time after just seven minutes. Away fans tried to tear down a fence. Shortly afterwards, a supporter of the home team threw a firecracker onto the pitch, causing another disruption. Towards the end of the game the situation escalated when the artificial turf caught fire due to pyrotechnics and burned holes in the pitch. After the restart, the game had to be stopped again because pyrotechnics continued to be ignited.
The chaotic circumstances meant that IFK Norrköping fans had to be expelled from the stadium. The regular 90 minutes playing time stretched to almost four and a half hours. Despite the incidents, the game ended in a 0-0 draw, which sealed Norrköping’s relegation after a 3-0 defeat in the first leg.
Norrköping’s club director André Skagervik commented on the incidents after the game: “This is of course completely unacceptable.” He emphasized that it was incredibly sad, even if it was only a minority of fans.