"Bengal lights rock!"
By Håvard Lindheim, 22 April 2004, 12:16
Head of RBK supporters Kjernen - The Core - are, as so many others in Football-Norway, tired of the "tin soldier blussing" where supporters line up around the pitch. Now the supporter boss wants to move the bengals up into the tribunes - without breaking the rules.
TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS: While Molde FK's supporters Trommekrattet and the rest of supporter-Norway has to stand in line on the inner court, scenes like this from Fiorentina are a normal sight elsewhere in Europe. If Christian Brøndbo gets it his way, this can change.
While fireworks at the spectator tribunes is illegal in Norway, it is used on a grand scale elsewhere in Europe. Now, Christian Brøndbo wants a change in the rules set by the Norwegian Football Association NFF.
"I understand the security aspect, but if people behave nicely and stand firm with a straight arm, it is safe and something we want to see at Norwegian stadiums," Brøndbo says to NRK.
Thor Grønnerud, NFF Specialist in Legal Questions, says that it is possible to get a dispensation from the ban, but he is sceptical.
"Unfortunately, we have had accidents where people have been hurt by fireworks at the tribunes here in Norway as well," Grønnerud states.
BENGAL: This episode from the FFK - RBK match did not go well with the NFF and the police.
Photo: Thomas Myren
Several members of Kjernen has previously been fined by the police for using bengals at the tribunes. As late as Sunday's away match against Fredrikstad, police officers had to use video cameras to tape a "sinner".
"The one using the bengal has been given a small verbal correction with the message that we do not want these things," Christian Brøndbo finishes.