Statement from SWE3 on ELF / Nordic Storm from November 15, 2024
The SWE3 board has noted the developments regarding the private league ELF, European League of Football, and in particular regarding the newly added Nordic Storm team. We would therefore like to make the following clarification.
SWE3 and its board work in harmony with and support the Swedish sports movement, where sport is governed by democratic forces and practiced in clubs. This model is valuable and well anchored in the Swedish system. Within SWE3 we work within our democratic system at both national and international levels through our respective international associations, WADA and the Olympic organizations.
Private players in sport who do not adhere to these democratically established rules are therefore not organizations with which the SWE3 board wants to work.
As for Nordic Storm, there is currently no official collaboration with SWE3 or with the Danish association DAFF. The team was founded without collaboration with the Swedish or Danish association.
The SWE3 Board of Directors and American Football management team are fully focused on developing American Football in Sweden and Scandinavia. This is done, among other things, through close cooperation with the respective associations in our neighboring countries.
The board is aware that players, coaches and referees from Sweden want to play and work in the ELF.
The SWE3 board would like to give some advice, especially for players who play in private, non-sanctioned leagues:
Private leagues are not subject to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
Private leagues that pay player salaries, such as B. the ELF are considered professional leagues by the NCAA. Anyone who plays in such a league loses their eligibility to play in college and therefore cannot play at college. As far as the ELF is concerned, SWE3, together with the DAFF, has clarified this with the NCAA.
The insurance you have through your Swedish player, referee or coach license does not apply to training, games, trials or other contexts not sanctioned by SWE3.
Since the ELF is a non-sanctioned league, i.e. a league that is not recognized by national and international sports federations, the SWE3 board will examine whether coaches who choose to participate in the ELF run the risk of losing their chance to represent Sweden at national team level.
This point of view is based on two main reasons:
Lack of compliance with international regulations: Because the ELF does not comply with key international anti-doping and democracy rules, participation poses potential risks for players and the sport.
The values of the Swedish sports movement: SWE3 is part of the Swedish sports movement, which is based on democratic values and is affiliated with national and international sports associations. Participation in the ELF can be perceived as acting outside of this community and a violation of SWE3’s values.
