Clashes between supporters of Rosenborg and Vålerenga erupted in Trondheim, Norway, on Saturday night, just hours before the two teams were scheduled to meet on the soccer pitch. The incidents prompted a heightened police presence and warnings of arrests and stadium bans.
According to police, the initial confrontation involved approximately 40 to 50 supporters from both clubs. Operasjonsleder Christopher James White reported that the fighting had subsided by midnight, but the atmosphere remained tense.
“Police are in Trondheim city center with increased resources and will have a low threshold for filing reports for public disorder,” White stated in a police log.
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White added that the violence would have consequences for those involved.
“When we identify individuals, they will be detained, charged, and banned from tomorrow’s soccer game,” White told Adresseavisen.
Further clashes were reported around 1:30 a.m. Local time, in a different part of the city center.
“To prevent further incidents, supporters found wearing specific ‘ultras’ attire will now be searched and removed from the city center,” the operations leader wrote.
Approximately 40 minutes later, another fight broke out near the Nidelva river. Police said that 10 to 15 Vålerenga supporters attacked four other individuals, and cobblestones were thrown.
“When police arrived, everyone ran in different directions. One person is being charged with public disorder,” the operations leader said. A man in his 20s was also detained for refusing to provide identification, and another man in his 20s was expelled from the city center for 24 hours.
Here’s not the first time clashes have occurred between these two groups in Trondheim. Previous years have also seen reports of large-scale fights between supporters before matches between Rosenborg and Vålerenga. The recurring nature of the violence prompted authorities to take action this year.
Last year, police reported receiving videos of people lying on the ground being kicked and punched. The year before, police used gas to separate clashing supporters in downtown Trondheim.
Here’s where clashes occurred last year:
As a result of this recurring problem, police have taken steps this year, including increasing fines for public disorder from 10,000 to 17,000 Norwegian kroner, according to Adresseavisen.
