By Philip O’Connor
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Hammarby finally emerged as 2-0 winners from the Stockholm derby at home to Djurgarden that was completed on Monday after Swedish police took the unusual decision to withdraw permission for the game at the Tele2 Arena halfway through Sunday’s second half.
Djurgarden were losing 2-0 to their bitter rivals after first-half goals by Nahir Besara when fireworks were thrown onto the field in the 76th minute from the end occupied by their supporters, interrupting the game.
The players and officials left the pitch, and around 50 minutes later came the announcement that the police had withdrawn the legal permission required to hold a public event, and that fans would have to leave the ground immediately.
Most supporters left but a large number stayed, chanting “we’re not going anywhere”. It was decided to restart the game behind closed doors at 1400 local time on Monday when there were muted celebrations by Hammarby’s players at the final whistle.
“We felt they (the fans) were with us regardless, given all the texts and calls I got yesterday, so you wanted to give this back to them,” said Besara.
He did not have to wait long to celebrate with the supporters as about 100 were waiting to congratulate the team outside the stadium after the final whistle.
“It was incredibly nice, I had no idea they were there,” Besara said.
Hammarby are second in the top-flight Allsvenskan with 50 points from 27 games, eight points adrift of Malmo, while Djurgarden are in third place on 47 points.
(Reporting by Philip O’Connor; Editing by Pritha Sarkar, Toby Davis and Ken Ferris)
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