‘Incredibly sad’ – Pitch set on fire in chaotic relegation decider scenes

Nov 30, 2025 - 16:15
‘Incredibly sad’ – Pitch set on fire in chaotic relegation decider scenes

There were disgraceful scenes in a Swedish relegation/promotion match as fans of IFK Norrkoping saw their pitch set alight.

The Allsvenskan regulars finished 14th of 16 teams in the top flight, condemning them to a play-off against the third-placed side in the second tier, Orgryte IS.

The home fans showed their support pre-match, but things spiralled as it became clear they were getting relegated
Fotbollskanalen YouTube
pitch on fire, sweden, sweden football, swedish football, Allsvenskan, Orgryte IS, IFK Norrkoping
The away fans caused the first stoppage when they destroyed a fence
Fotbollskanalen YouTube
pitch on fire, sweden, sweden football, swedish football, Allsvenskan, Orgryte IS, IFK Norrkoping
Later, the pitch was set on fire by the home fans
Fotbollskanalen YouTube

Orgryte won the first leg 3-0 at home, and as a result unhappy IFK fans disrupted the return match.

They weren’t the only ones, though, as a section of the away supporters at the Nya Parken had to be thrown out with just seven minutes on the clock as they attempted to destroy a fence.

There was then another first-half stoppage when a firecracker was thrown on the pitch.

The match stayed 0-0, sending IFK out of the top flight for the first time since 2010.

With hope all but over, fireworks were thrown on the pitch in the 86th minute and the referee immediately stopped play and signalled towards the tunnel.

Matters then got far more concerning as the synthetic pitch caught alight in sections, and so did the goal net, as stewards ran to stamp out the fire.

The match ultimately resumed, but there was yet another stoppage before the full-time whistle due to the use of pyrotechnics.

All-in-all, the second leg of the relegation/promotion match lasted a massive four-and-a-half hours due to the four stoppages.

Speaking post match, IFK director Andre Skagervik said: “This is of course completely unacceptable. Even if it is a minority, it is incredibly sad.”

pitch on fire, sweden, sweden football, swedish football, Allsvenskan, Orgryte IS, IFK Norrkoping
The pitch began burning in the 86th minute and players were quickly taken off
Fotbollskanalen YouTube
Even the goal net caught fire
Fotbollskanalen YouTube
pitch on fire, sweden, sweden football, swedish football, Allsvenskan, Orgryte IS, IFK Norrkoping
Players finally emerged after a lengthy stoppage, but another flare saw the game stopped for the fourth time
Fotbollskanalen YouTube

More to follow.

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Angry Angry 0
Sad Sad 0
Wow Wow 0