Swedish Football Association
Encyclopedia
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It organises the football leagues
Swedish football league system
The Swedish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Sweden which is controlled by the Swedish Football Association and consists of 276 teams in 22 leagues divided into five levels...
— Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
for men and Damallsvenskan
Damallsvenskan
The Damallsvenskan, Swedish for ladies' all-Swedish, is the highest division of women's football in Sweden. It is also referred as to the women's Allsvenskan, this term being used alone to refer to the men's division....
for women — and the men's
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
and women's
Sweden women's national football team
Sweden women's national football team are a football team officially representing Sweden in women's football. They won the unofficial European Championships in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, it has however won one World Cup-silver as well as three European Cup-silvers...
national teams. It is based in Solna
Solna Municipality
Solna Municipality is a municipality in Stockholm County in east central Sweden, located just north of the capital Stockholm. Its seat is located in the 'city' of Solna....
and is a founding member of both FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
and UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
. SvFF is supported by 24 district organisations
Swedish District Football Associations
The District Football Associations are the local governing bodies of association football in Sweden. District FAs exist to govern all aspects of local football in their defined areas, providing grassroots support to the Swedish Football Association by promoting and administering football, futsal...
.
Background
Svenska Fotbollförbundet (SvFF) was founded on the 18th December 1904 and is the sports federation responsible for the promotion and administration of organised football in Sweden and also represents the country the outside of Sweden. SvFF is affiliated to the Swedish Sports ConfederationSwedish Sports Confederation
The Swedish Sports Confederation is the umbrella organisation of the Swedish sports movement. Through its member organisations, it has three million members in 22 000 clubs. The Confederation was formed in 1903...
(RF) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Lars-Åke Lagrell
Lars-Åke Lagrell
Lars-Åke Lagrell is a Swedish sports personality who is the President of the Swedish Football Association since 1991. In 2002 Prime Minister of Sweden Göran Persson appointed him Governor of Kronoberg County...
has been the President since 1991. In 2009 there were 3,359 clubs affiliated to the Svenska Fotbollförbundet with a total of more than a million members, of whom about 500,000 were active players. Together, they accounted for almost one-third of the total Swedish sports movement activities.
SvFF administers Sweden's national football team, the Swedish women's national football team, other football teams and leagues
Swedish football league system
The Swedish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Sweden which is controlled by the Swedish Football Association and consists of 276 teams in 22 leagues divided into five levels...
including the Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
and Superettan
Superettan
Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
. The motto of Swedish football – "one club in every village, football for all" – is reflected in the democratic constitution of Swedish football. All football competition in the nation is arranged by the SvFF and its 24 district organisations. The clubs are voting members at the annual meetings of the district organisations. The district organisations and the elite clubs are entitled to vote at the F.A.'s general meeting.
Since 1999 SvFF has been the sole owner of Sweden's national stadium, the Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Fotbollstadion, also Råsundastadion, Råsunda Stadium or just Råsunda, is a Swedish national football stadium. It is located in Solna Municipality in Metropolitan Stockholm and named after Råsunda, a zone of Solna.-History:...
in Solna
Solna Municipality
Solna Municipality is a municipality in Stockholm County in east central Sweden, located just north of the capital Stockholm. Its seat is located in the 'city' of Solna....
. The national arena also houses the SvFF. In 2012 a new 50,000 seated National Stadium ('Swedbank Arena') will be completed. The new venue will also be situated in Solna, not far from the present one.
Since 1995 in November of each year the Swedish Football Association Football Gala is held which includes the award for the best male player (Guldbollen
Guldbollen
Guldbollen, , is a Swedish football award given by the Aftonbladet and the Swedish Football Association to the best male Swedish footballer each year....
) and female players (Diamantbollen
Diamantbollen
Diamantbollen, Swedish for The Diamond Ball, an annual award for Sweden's best female football player. The award is currently given out by the Swedish Football Association and Sydsvenskans newspaper...
).
SvFF had a turnover 2008 of 554 MSEK.
Early History
The first Swedish football championships were held in 1896 but it was 7 years later in 1903 that the RiksidrottsförbundetSwedish Sports Confederation
The Swedish Sports Confederation is the umbrella organisation of the Swedish sports movement. Through its member organisations, it has three million members in 22 000 clubs. The Confederation was formed in 1903...
was formed which was to be the precursor to the Svenska Fotbollförbundet. The new organisation had a football and hockey section (hockey being the term for bandy
Bandy
Bandy is a team winter sport played on ice, in which skaters use sticks to direct a ball into the opposing team's goal.The rules of the game have many similarities to those of association football: the game is played on a rectangle of ice the same size as a football field. Each team has 11 players,...
at that time and not ice-hockey or field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
). In 1904 Sweden was one of 7 nations that founded FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
.
In 1906 the name Svenska Fotbollförbundet (Swedish Football Association) was officially accepted and the following year SvFF was officially voted into FIFA. On the 12th July 1908, Sweden's first international match was played in which Norway were defeated 11–3 in Göteborg. However the Olympics were a disappointment for Sweden, losing 1–12 to England and 0–2 to Holland.
Competitions
| Swedish Football League Structure Swedish football league system The Swedish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Sweden which is controlled by the Swedish Football Association and consists of 276 teams in 22 leagues divided into five levels... |
|---|
Allsvenskan Allsvenskan Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan... (Tier 1) Superettan Superettan Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1.... (Tier 2) Division 1 (Tier 3) Division 2 (Tier 4) Division 3 (Tier 5) Division 4 Swedish football Division 4 Division 4 is the sixth level in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 39 sections with 8 to 12 football teams in each.- The competition :There are 39 groups of 8 to 12 teams each representing a local geographical area... (Tier 6) Division 5 Swedish football Division 5 Division 5 is the seventh level in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 53 sections with 10 to 12 football teams in each.- The competition :There are 53 groups of 10 to 12 teams each representing a local geographical area... (Tier 7) Division 6 Swedish football Division 6 Division 6 is the eighth level in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 78 sections with 5 to 12 football teams in each.- The competition :There are 78 groups of 10 to 12 teams each representing a local geographical area... (Tier 8) Division 7 Swedish football Division 7 Division 7 is the ninth level in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 47 sections with 9 to 12 football teams in each.- The competition :There are 47 groups of 10 to 12 teams each representing a local geographical area... (Tier 9) Division 8 Swedish football Division 8 Division 8 is the tenth and lowest level in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 5 sections with 10 to 12 football teams in each... (Tier 10) |
| Swedish Football Ladies League Structure Swedish football league system The Swedish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Sweden which is controlled by the Swedish Football Association and consists of 276 teams in 22 leagues divided into five levels... |
|---|
Damallsvenskan Damallsvenskan The Damallsvenskan, Swedish for ladies' all-Swedish, is the highest division of women's football in Sweden. It is also referred as to the women's Allsvenskan, this term being used alone to refer to the men's division.... (Tier 1) Ladies Division 1 Swedish Ladies Football Division 1 Division 1 is the second level in the league system of Swedish Ladies football and comprises 2 sections with 12 football teams in each.-Div 1 Norrettan:*AIK FF*Bollstanäs SK*Danmarks IF*Gideonsbergs IF*Gustafs GoIF*Kvarnsvedens IK*Rågsveds IF... (Tier 2) Ladies Division 2 Swedish Ladies Football Division 2 Division 2 is the third level in the league system of Swedish Ladies football and comprises 9 sections with 10 football teams in each.-Current sections - 2011 Season:Div 2 Norra Norrland... (Tier 3) Ladies Division 3 Swedish Ladies Football Division 3 Division 3 is the fourth level in the league system of Swedish Ladies football and comprises 26 sections with 10-12 football teams in each.-Current sections - 2011 Season:Ångermanland... (Tier 4) Ladies Division 4 Swedish Ladies Football Division 4 Division 4 is the fifth level in the league system of Swedish Ladies football and comprises 41 sections with 6-12 football teams in each.-Current sections - 2011 Season:Ångermanland... (Tier 5) Ladies Division 5 Swedish Ladies Football Division 5 Division 5 is the sixth level in the league system of Swedish Ladies football and comprises 43 sections with 5-12 football teams in each.-Current sections - 2011 Season:Alingsås - Västergötland... (Tier 6) |
Svenska Fotbollförbundet is responsible for organising the following competitions:
Men's Football
- AllsvenskanAllsvenskanAllsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
(Tier 1) - SuperettanSuperettanSuperettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
(Tier 2) - Division 1 (Tier 3) – two sections
- Division 2 (Tier 4) – six sections
- Division 3 (Tier 5) – twelve sections
- Folksam Utvecklingsserie – two sections
Ladies Football
- DamallsvenskanDamallsvenskanThe Damallsvenskan, Swedish for ladies' all-Swedish, is the highest division of women's football in Sweden. It is also referred as to the women's Allsvenskan, this term being used alone to refer to the men's division....
(Tier 1) - Division 1 Norrettan (Tier 2)
- Division 1 Söderettan (Tier 2)
- Division 2 (Tier 3) – nine sections
Cups
- Svenska CupenSvenska CupenSvenska Cupen , is a knockout cup competition in Swedish football and the main Swedish football cup. Svenska Cupen usually refers to the men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held. Each year 98 teams compete, comprising the 16 teams from Allsvenskan and the 16 teams of Superettan...
– Men - Svenska Cupen – Ladies
- CANAL+ Cupen – Junior Boys
- Cup Kommunal – Junior Girls
District Football Associations
Swedish football is built on a single pyramid league systemSwedish football league system
The Swedish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Sweden which is controlled by the Swedish Football Association and consists of 276 teams in 22 leagues divided into five levels...
. While the SvFF administers the top leagues, the 24 district or regional associations administers youth football and the lower tier leagues from Division 4
Swedish football Division 4
Division 4 is the sixth level in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 39 sections with 8 to 12 football teams in each.- The competition :There are 39 groups of 8 to 12 teams each representing a local geographical area...
(men) and Division 3 (ladies), respectively, and further below.
The 24 district organisations are as follows:
- Blekinge FotbollförbundBlekinge FotbollförbundThe Blekinge Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in Blekinge County.- Background :...
- Bohusläns FotbollförbundBohusläns FotbollförbundThe Bohusläns Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Bohuslän.- Background :...
- Dalarnas FotbollförbundDalarnas FotbollförbundThe Dalarnas Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Dalarna.- Background :...
- Dalslands FotbollförbundDalslands FotbollförbundThe Dalslands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Dalsland.- Background :...
- Gestriklands FotbollförbundGestriklands FotbollförbundThe Gestriklands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in Gestrikland in Norrland.- Background :...
- Göteborgs FotbollförbundGöteborgs FotbollförbundThe Göteborgs Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in Göteborg.- Background :...
- Gotlands FotbollförbundGotlands FotbollförbundThe Gotlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football on the island of Gotland.- Background :...
- Hallands FotbollförbundHallands FotbollförbundThe Hallands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Halland.- Background :...
- Hälsinglands FotbollförbundHälsinglands FotbollförbundThe Hälsinglands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Jämtland-Härjedalens FotbollförbundJämtland-Härjedalens FotbollförbundThe Jämtland-Härjedalens Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Medelpads FotbollförbundMedelpads FotbollförbundThe Medelpads Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Medelpad in Norrland.- Background :...
- Norrbottens FotbollförbundNorrbottens FotbollförbundThe Norrbottens Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Skånes FotbollförbundSkånes FotbollförbundThe Skånes Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the non-administrative province of Scania.- Background :...
- Smålands FotbollförbundSmålands FotbollförbundThe Smålands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Småland.- Background :...
- Södermanlands FotbollförbundSödermanlands FotbollförbundThe Södermanlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Stockholms FotbollförbundStockholms FotbollförbundThe Stockholms Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in Stockholm County.- Background :...
- Upplands FotbollförbundUpplands FotbollförbundThe Upplands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Uppland.- Background :...
- Värmlands FotbollförbundVärmlands FotbollförbundThe Värmlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in the historical province of Värmland.- Background :...
- Västerbottens FotbollförbundVästerbottens FotbollförbundThe Västerbottens Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Västergötlands FotbollförbundVästergötlands FotbollförbundThe Västergötlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Västmanlands FotbollförbundVästmanlands FotbollförbundThe Västmanlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Ångermanlands FotbollförbundÅngermanlands FotbollförbundThe Ångermanlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
- Örebro Läns FotbollförbundÖrebro Läns FotbollförbundThe Örebro Läns Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in Örebro County.- Background :...
- Östergötlands FotbollförbundÖstergötlands FotbollförbundThe Östergötlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in Östergötland County.- Background :...
External links
- Swedish Football Association (official website)
- Svenska Fotbollslandslagen Facebook
- Sweden at FIFA site
- Sweden at UEFA site