Saving Sweden's Youth: The Power of Soccer

In the heart of Sweden, a unique battle is being fought against gang crime. It's not happening in courtrooms or police stations, but on soccer fields. Every Saturday night, a former soccer player turned pastor, Robert Wirehag, organizes night soccer games in Gottsunda, a suburb of Uppsala. This isn't just a game; it's a lifeline for young boys aged 12 to 17 who are at risk of being drawn into gang life. Gottsunda is a tough place. It's a socioeconomically disadvantaged area where jobs are scarce, and language barriers are high. This mix creates a perfect storm for criminal activity. Young people, with nothing meaningful to do, are easy targets for gangs promising quick money. Wirehag saw this problem and decided to do something about it. He started "night football, " a soccer program designed to keep these boys off the streets and away from trouble. The boys who participate in these games are not just playing for fun. They are fighting for their futures. Abdulraof Alchaieb, known as Abudi, is one of them. He believes that soccer has kept him from a life of crime. "If I hadn't had football, " he says, "I think I could've slipped into crime. " Abudi's story is a testament to the power of sport in transforming lives. The game nights are not without their challenges. Wirehag initially tried to pick the teams, but the boys protested. They wanted to choose their own teams, and Wirehag learned that letting them do so was the key to their engagement. Now, the chaos of team selection is a part of the night's excitement. The situation in Sweden is dire. Gang crime is a network problem, spreading throughout the country. Young people are being recruited into criminal lifestyles at an alarming rate. The Swedish police estimate that 62, 000 people are active in or connected to criminal networks. The use of explosives in criminal conflicts is on the rise, with an average of more than one bombing per day in January alone. This violence is closely linked to socially disadvantaged areas, where unemployment and poverty are high. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention reports that Sweden has one of the highest firearm-related death rates in Europe. This is a stark contrast to a decade ago when Sweden had one of the lowest rates. The situation has worsened, with children as young as nine being used by gang leaders to commit serious crimes. These children are often not prosecuted due to their age, creating a loophole that gangs exploit. Wirehag's initiative is part of a broader effort to combat this crisis. The project in Gottsunda is part of Sirius' social initiative "Football without borders. " The club arranges for the boys to watch professional games and meet elite players. Joakim Persson, a Sweden U21 national team player, talks to the boys about his life and the importance of never giving up. The night soccer program has had a significant impact. It has kept many boys away from trouble and given them a sense of belonging. Abudi, who has been selected for the Syrian under-20 national team, credits the program with keeping him on the right path. He believes it should be implemented in every city and municipality in Sweden. Despite the challenges, Wirehag remains committed. He moved the Saturday night sessions to a different sports ground for safety reasons, but the program continues. He sees the good developments and the bad, but he believes that saving even one boy is worth the effort. The future of these young people is at stake, and soccer might just be the key to saving them.