Football coach accused referee of racism – fined 20,000

It was during the derby match between IFK Göteborg and BK Häcken on April 11 this year that player Rockson Yeboah (IFK Göteborg) received a red card in a situation near the penalty area, something that infuriated coach Jesper Jansson. He then accused the referee of being a racist – now he has to pay a fine of 20,000.

The altercation between coach Jesper Jansson and referee Granit Maqedonci occurred after IFK Göteborg’s loss to Häcken in the second round of the Allsvenskan. At the center of the conflict was the red card handed to Rockson Yeboah, a decision that was later overturned.

Despite this, the disciplinary committee believes Jansson went far over the line when he accused the referee of racism after the final whistle.

– By stating that the referee’s decision was based on racism, Jesper Jansson made comments that were inappropriate and offensive, the committee writes in its decision.

According to the referee’s report to the disciplinary committee, Jansson, immediately after the match, approached and claimed that the sending-off was “racism.” When the referee, in shock, asked him to repeat what he had said, Jansson allegedly said it again.

When the referee pointed out his own background and asked if he really meant that the referees were racists, the IFK executive reportedly responded:

– Don’t play the Bojan Djordjic card.

This comment referred to the previously heated conflict between football personality Bojan Djordjic and former national team coach Janne Andersson, where accusations of racism were central.

Bojan Djordjic and Janne Andersson’s heated dispute. Photo: Facsimile Youtube

Jesper Jansson’s Defense

Jesper Jansson, however, denies that he called the referees racists. In his defense, he explains that he rather posed a question out of frustration at the swift decision. According to him, he only asked “is it racism?”

While admitting that his choice of words was inappropriate, he told Fotbollskanalen that he does not regret it.

– I do not believe that I accused anyone, says Jansson.

The case has sparked debate about how far coaches can go in criticizing referees and whether accusations of racism are used too frivolously in Swedish elite football.