Copenhagen mayors split over closing World Cup fan zone after assault

Copenhagen’s children and youth mayor, Jakob Næsager (Conservative), has called for the closure of the World Cup public screening event on Islands Brygge after two violent incidents in the past week, including an assault that left a 32-year-old Swedish man seriously injured.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Næsager stated that when a “public celebration” turns into brutal violence, leaving a Swedish visitor in a football shirt in critical condition, authorities must draw a line. “Two violent incidents in just one week are two too many,” he wrote, adding that the event “does not belong on the waterfront in its current form.”

A suspect in the assault on the Swedish man turned himself in to police on Friday morning after authorities issued a public appeal with his image. The incident on 30 June reportedly stemmed from a dispute, after which the victim was taken to hospital in serious condition.

However, Christopher Røhl (Alternative), the city’s culture and leisure mayor responsible for the event, opposes shutting it down. He called the attack “horrific and completely unacceptable” but told DR News that Næsager’s reaction was misplaced. “The issue isn’t necessarily the event itself, but the perpetrators of violence. The police haven’t said it should close either,” Røhl said. “It would be a shame to end the celebration and community around the World Cup because of these incidents.”

Røhl confirmed that organisers, Fodboldfesten, are working with police to improve security, including hiring more staff and installing additional cameras. The company declined an interview but issued a statement: “We are all deeply affected by the incident. Safety and security have always been our top priority. From the start, we have maintained close cooperation with police and authorities, consulting them regularly on risks and precautions—including for upcoming events.”

Future screenings will feature increased security personnel with body cameras, entry screening, and expanded video surveillance, according to the organisers.