Agder, Norway – A dispute over youth soccer in Agder continues to escalate, with the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) Agder unable to find a resolution after attempts to reorganize the league following a boycott threat. The conflict centers around a modern youth initiative led by former professional player Jesper Mathisen, sparking accusations of selective player recruitment and concerns over fair play.
The situation began last summer when Mathisen left Donn and started a new team in Dvergsnes, drawing players from across the city. This spring, five clubs – Randesund, Mandalskameratene, Donn, Vigør and Gimletroll – refused to play against Dvergsnes’s 11- and 12-year-old teams, alleging violations of fair play principles and prioritizing winning over inclusivity.
Another team, Høllen, founded using a similar approach, is also facing a boycott. The NFF Agder initially attempted to restructure the league to avoid matches between the boycotting clubs and Dvergsnes and Høllen, but that solution has now collapsed. According to a press release from NFF Agder, “Several clubs have said that they do not wish to participate in a new or restructured series, while others believe that the responsibility for handling the situation lies with NFF and the football district.”
The planned restructuring fell apart just as Gimletroll and Donn were scheduled to play Dvergsnes on Monday evening, with Dvergsnes officials receiving notice that the games would not proceed. The ongoing dispute has drawn criticism from Kristiansand Mayor Mathias Bernander, who previously voiced concerns about the initiative’s practices.
Martin, a soccer parent, withdrew his involvement in protest, stating, “They are using the children as shields.”
Mathisen has responded to the criticism, stating that players on opposing teams have left the field in tears after matches. He also expressed his frustration with the situation, but did not offer further details.
Yngvar Håkonsen, Managing Director of NFF Agder, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, “There is no doubt that this case has been, and still is, very demanding for many. At the same time, we are clear that not showing up for a match is not a desired tool in youth soccer.” The NFF Agder has not offered further solutions at this time.
Meanwhile, futsal in Agder concluded a successful 2025/26 season with record participation and high engagement. Nearly 70 girls participated in spring goalkeeper training sessions, reporting positive experiences with skill development and enjoyment. NFF Agder is seeing growth in “walking football” (gåfotball), with more clubs joining the initiative.
