According to sources, at the start of each season, six elite clubs in Norrbotten collectively lose 21 million kronor solely in travel costs. This sum is slowly but surely eroding both the clubs' finances and future prospects. " Piteå IF's women's football club wants, together with five other elite clubs in Norrbotten, to address increasing travel costs.
The clubs have not found any sponsor for their travel costs. 2 million kronor. To reduce costs, Piteå IF's F19 team has had to move down a division.
Elite sports will eventually not be able to survive in this part of the country.
" The interest organization Elitfotboll dam (EFD) states that it is important to have elite football throughout the country and that the right conditions are needed for all clubs to develop. " The clubs that have started the petition are Luleå HF (excluding the men's team), Luleå HF/MSSK, Luleå Basket, PIF Damer, BC Luleå, and Boden Handboll IF. What specific actions or subsidies are being considered by the Swedish Football Association or other bodies to address the travel costs remains unclear.
The clubs continue to seek support through their petition to sustain elite sports in the region.
Of course it is sad, especially when it is the economy that is behind the decision to change leagues. If the negative development continues in this direction, we risk being relegated entirely.
The question of travel costs must be handled in collaboration between clubs, EFD and not least the Swedish Football Association.
There are currently support structures within Swedish football and at the association level to look at how costs for elite operations can be handled sustainably, but concrete decisions about subsidies lie in the borderland between the association, series organizer and the individual clubs.