The Swedish American Football Federation, SAFF, (Svenska Amerikansk Fotbollförbundet), has announced that all football, which has been on hold since early March due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus, has now been postponed until August 15 at the earliest.
This means that there will be no national or regional league play in the spring or summer in Sweden. The decision affects the Swedish Super Series for both men and women, Division 1 men and women, flag football league and peewee games. A decision had already been announced that the Division 2 men and the U17 series have been moved to the autumn. Interestingly, practice is permitted provided the recommendations of the Swedish Public Health Authority are followed.
Minette Rogner, chairman of SAFF:
“What is happening in Sweden now in connection with the spread of the pandemic Covid-19 affects our entire society and of course also the sports community.
“It is a worrying and uncertain time for many who are involved in American football and flag football. New advice and guidelines from the authorities are also being presented on an ongoing basis and these have also been changed to a great extent from day to day.
“It is imperative that we all take responsibility and follow the current advice from the Public Health Authority and from the Swedish Sports Federation to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, the Board last night made the very difficult decision that none of SAFF’s arranged or sanctioned activities can be allowed before 15 August.”
Coronavirus situation in Sweden
Sweden has seen a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the past five days rising from 3,574 on March 29 to 6,131 as of April 3. The death toll is risen from 110 to 358 in the same time span.