Every Saturday night, Reverend Robert and Arhaj organizes “night football” matches in Gutsunda, the suburb of Ubsala, the fourth largest in Sweden.
Oppsala is known as the quiet university city, about 70 km from Stockholm. But in Gottsunda, young people in the field are far from academic environments.
Wirehag estimates that all children between the ages of 12 and 17 who participated in the project are at risk of hiring gangs.
“They live in a specific neighborhood and are at risk. Some are already part of the gangs, while others are on their way,” says the priest to CNN.
Poverty and lack of opportunities nourish the crime
The matches are made in areas with a few jobs, linguistic barriers, and fertile land for crime, according to Wirehag.
“With the absence of money, without a great occupation, the risk of adhering to criminal lifestyles is increasing. So we are accurately behaving on Saturday nights,” he says.
One of the youths on CNN is Abdul -Abd Al -Alawan, or 18 years old. For him, the field conflict is intense: “It is a war.”
Abudi also plays for the Sunnsta AIF under 19 years old and says football has removed him from the crime. “If not, it might fall in this world.”
Crime routine and minors use by gangs
Worehag tried to choose the difference to prevent someone from the last choice, but the boys revolted. Since then, they define themselves the difference.
“They are asking to hand over a bag. When you see, you already have drugs.”
“Those who resemble your friends can betray you. I have seen people who could not leave. When you want to leave, they go. Sometimes you die.”
Violence grew at the beginning of the year. In January, Sweden recorded more than one explosion a day, not to mention frustration or frustration by the police.
Young use and explosives use
The explosives are common in blackmail and conflict. Homemade pumps, illegal fires and hand grenades can be easily reached.
According to the Swedish police, criminals recruit young people through digital groups, and they offer quick duties with easy money.
“The crime of the network is present throughout the country. The rhythm is accelerated,” says Hanna Parades, the former head of the operation.
The 2024 report estimates that 62,000 people have relationships with criminal networks. “Today, young people are recruited faster,” says Parades.
The expert says that the crime has become a “beak” for minors
For Dennis Martinson, a criminal law specialist, gangs have created a “nozzle economy” with promises of money and status.
“They publish tasks on applications. Young people accept, but often they do not get anything even if they are not arrested.”
A 2021 study indicated that Sweden has one of the highest firearms mortality rates in EuropeAssociated with crime in poor areas.
10 years ago, Sweden was one of the countries with low armed violence. Today, it is the opposite. “It is an evil development,” says Ardavan Khoshnoud, a criminal world.
Children are used to kill and carry weapons
It is worried about increasing children under the age of 15 in murders. The Swedish Public Prosecutor’s Office has set three copies of these cases in one year.
“Gang leaders use children to kill or carry explosives. We have seen 9 armed years,” says journalist Diamant Saliho.
Penal sanctions: rarely go to 18 years in prison. In general, they are in the young prison system for up to 4 years.
Children under the age of 15 cannot be condemned. They only get social measures. This prompted a proposal to reduce the age of criminal responsibility.
Lack of social integration prefers gangs
Salihu notes that the failure of integration and gaps in the legal system explains the progress of the organized crime in the Swedish outskirts.
“The neighborhoods with poverty, unemployment, low school performance and open drug markets have been born an ideal storm.”
Pay the violence to football clubs away. “Cyrus had to cancel the basic games because the external teams do not want to come to Oppsala,” says Wirehag.
Despite the risks, the priest continues to go to Gottsunda every Saturday. “My children ask me not to go. They are afraid of what can happen.”
Football as a bridge between youth and the police
Wirehag believes that football can create social ties. Therefore, he decided to invite the local police to watch a match.
Young people, however, was a cold reaction. Many have negative experiences with police officers, including their countries of origin.
“Some people are unjustly persecuted because of their origin. They are not trusting in the police,” says Wirehag. The idea is to build this confidence gradually.
During the game, a 15 -year -old boy asks a policeman about what happens when someone is arrested with drugs. She responds with patience.
The “Football Without Borders” project is trying to change destinations
Kareena Newman, the community police, says Gotsunda is facing many conflicts. “There are shootings, explosions. But we follow the company.”
Despite the arrests, youth continue to be employed. “Violence is brighter. Small conflicts end in death.”
The project is part of the Cyrus Club’s social initiative, called “Football Without Borders”. In addition to games, watch professional matches.
Joachim Pearson, Choose Sweden under 21 years oldParticipates in the meetings. “Here we talk a lot about respect. This is necessary.”
An example of overcoming young people in Gottsunda
Person tells a course for young people. “My advice is: never give up. There will always be obstacles. They continue.”
Aboudi, who is now called to the national team under 20 years in Syria, is attributed to night football. “He turned me from everything that was wrong.”
“It wasn’t it only.” I shouldn’t have helped many people. This should be in all cities of Sweden, “the young player says.
On the second visit, Wirehag displays a new stadium, a few meters away from before. “I don’t feel safe there. Not even children.”
Changing the court reflects tension in the gang area
Local gangs do not come out of Gottsunda for fear of enemies. So changing the courts – even for 400 meters – makes a difference.
“Football is still facing challenges. Many children are no longer here: they left the city or were chosen by the gangs,” Wirehag regretted.
But the priest celebrates those who continue. “Most of them follow us. We need to show that there is more in life.”
“If you realize after 10 years from now that we have only saved a boy, it would be worth it.”
