Swedish police to charge sports clubs for security

Stockholm police say they will charge the city's top sports clubs for the cost of providing security at football and ice hockey matches.

Monday's decision follows a lengthy discussion about whether the three biggest Stockholm clubs - AIK, Djurgarden and Hammarby - can do more to stem hooliganism.

Police said the clubs will be charged 920 kronor ($140) an hour for each police officer deployed in and around a stadium or hockey arena. That means a high-risk match like a derby could cost the club hosting the match around 1 million kronor ($150,000).

The police decision sparked protests from the clubs. AIK said the charges would force it to spend less on its existing measures against fan violence.