The organization of professional football in Scandinavia

Against the backdrop that Scandinavia is still a fairly homogenous region which also characterizes its traditions in sport this essay is a first comparative exploration into the way(s) in which football is being organized in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The essay shows that although the skeleton of the organization of football is very similar across the three countries, there are also remarkable differences, such as the implementation of licensing standards, the national differences in the way clubs are organized and in the relations between the football authorities, top clubs and organized players. Sweden, although first to lift the ban on professional football, proves to have followed a more prudent path to developing top football than have its Scandinavian counterparts. Despite this it is questionable whether Denmark and Norway have performed better than the Swedes on the international arena.