The White Match (Den vita sporten)

A film by:

with contributions by Bo Jonsson and Staffan Lamm.

On 3 May 1968, a Davis Cup tennis match was set to be played in Båstad

between Sweden and Rhodesia. This match never took place.

The following film covers the circumstances surrounding this...

Why did you want to stop the match in Båstad?

I think that politics and sports really belong together,

that sport has a real political function,

that politics permeates all aspects of society

and thus also permeates sports.

I feel there is a tendency in our society to consider

politics the preserve of professional politicians, government, party officials.

And that the man on the street

is somehow incapable or unqualified to take

a position on political issues.

But with channels of information available in Sweden today

through mass media, we can actually inform ourselves

well enough to be able to adopt a political position.

This tendency causes many people,

under the pretext of so-called objectivity, to become passive,

to become apolitical.

And I think that’s absurd, because that means

they renounce a democratic opportunity to change society.

I want to change society,

that’s why I feel it’s so important to protest against this match.

Our neutrality policy does not condemn us to silence.

Silence can be the ally of injustice.

Silence can be seen as supporting reaction.

We must have the right to assert the ideals of universal freedom

and fellowship of solidarity and justice.

Let our opponents on the right beware:

don’t try to use neutrality as a cover

to muzzle the Swedish labour movement.

You will never succeed.

OLAF PALME Minister of Education

GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL What do I think? They should cancel the match.

But whether the sports association decides to do that is another question.

But what are you going to do about it? - Well, what can one do about it?

I mean, why should I do something about it?

That’s my attitude regarding the sports association.

If they were to ask me, I’d tell them what I think.

Then it’s up to them what they do about it.

ENGINE DRIVER No, I don't like it.

Are you going to do anything about it? - No, I’m not.

That’s up to the ones who… I mean… I have no...

I’m not going to personally do anything about all this.

But I am of the opinion that the match shouldn’t be played.

Why?

Because I feel that the racial policy in Rhodesia isn't what it ought to be.

CEMENT WORKER AND HIS WIFE It should be stopped, of course.

How?

How? Just see to it that they stop, don’t let them play.

Who is supposed to see that they don't play?

Well, I suppose it’s up to the Sports… what’s it called now…

the Sports Association to see to that.

Who’s supposed to see to it that the Sports Association does that?

Yeah, well, that’s just it, isn’t it?

Can you do anything? - No, we can't do anything, no.

Why not?

We aren't powerful enough.

Well, there are some talented tennis players who, it seems,

are as bad at politics as I am at tennis.

And what does that mean, Minister?

Well, that's my position regarding this match.

And those attempts that will be made to stop this match,

how should they be viewed?

I don't want to comment on that because I know too little about it.

Above all it is the responsibility

of the Tennis Association to say

what they think is the decent thing to do.

Is it not possible for someone higher up to?

We live in a free country, so we don’t interfere in sports

in such a way as to recommend that they do one thing or the other,

With the Olympics, it’s a question of money, but that’s not the case here.

DISTRICT CHAIRMAN SWEDISH DEMOCRATIC YOUTH LEAGUE (SSU)

Peter Wallenberg’s dealings in Rhodesia are a separate chapter.

It’s his company, his company is investing in Rhodesia

Atlas Copco, we know for certain,

and he is also the one keeping the Tennis Association afloat.

He’s more or less financing it,

and he’s also a partner in the tennis stadium here.

That means that our protest against the Smith regime

must also be directed at those industrialists in Sweden

and the rest of the world who, through their economic ties

with Smith, support this racist, fascist regime.

HERMAN KLING, MINISTER OF JUSTICE

It is not for me, as Minister of Justice,

to comment on the policy of Swedish sports associations.

The Swedish government’s policy is another matter entirely,

and there is no doubt as to its position with regard to Rhodesia.

TEAM CAPTAIN, SWEDISH TENNIS ASSOCIATION

I feel a little resentful at the prospect

of there being demonstrations that violate the law.

As long as the demonstrations adhere to the law, then I accept them.

I think it’s quite acceptable,

but if they violate the law, then that has to be wrong.

Are you afraid of that happening? - No, I am not.

There’s been a fair bit in the press about activist groups.

You’re not afraid that such elements are going to...?

I’m not afraid, but I think it would be a shame

if they were allowed to break the law.

I see.

You are aware that a broad swath of public opinion in Sweden

feels that the Tennis Association has subjected the country,

has put Sweden in an untenable position...

I wouldn’t call it a broad swath.

You don’t think it’s broad? - Well, I mean, we don’t know that.

Do we?

Do we? I mean, you tell me...

RUNE JOHANSSON Foreign Minister

They clearly have another point

of departure for their assessment,

namely that of sports as an activity that

bridges differences between countries.

But in this case,

I feel that they ought to have shown

more respect for the official position

toward the country that the players come from

and the public opinion that exists here

that sympathizes with the plight

of colored groups

and the difficulties they face.

Those feelings are very strong here.

Do you feel that the Swedish government

has done what it could to prevent it?

Officially, there’s nothing more we could have done.…

So you feel that you’ve made your views clear on this issue?

Yes, the sports organizations cannot be unaware of them.

They’re not unaware of them?

No. But I don’t think there’s been any

official intervention to influence matters.

They’re independent organizations.

POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENT

You’re part of the group heading to Båstad tomorrow?

M-hm.

Why are you going?

We feel that it’s necessary to protest

against white oppression in Rhodesia, and to really be serious about it.

I don’t mean just walking around with a sign

or expressing our views,

but really trying to stop the match

precisely the difference between a protest movement

and the resistance movement that

Stokley Carmichel and others spoke about.

When you're in a resistance movement,

you mean what you say, and you resist actively.

That’s what we should try to do with this match.

How far do you think you should go

in order to put a stop to the match?

First of all, these methods

aren't something we're just talking about.

We really intend to stop the match.

Then whatever disturbances

end up taking place, is up to the police.

The most important thing is just to be able to stop the match.

What’s your take on it?

I’m going down there because

I feel that this is a way to expose

the political stance that the Tennis Association

is in fact adopting by organizing this match

with representatives of this

oppressive regime in Rhodesia.

Furthermore, I feel it is important

to make it clear to the Swedish people

that the political reality permeates everything,

that it’s integrated into everything we say and do.

It’s that great myth that society is divided into sectors,

that there’s just a little part of society

that has anything to do with politics –

with elections every four years or something like that.

What I mean is that

politics permeates everything.

Everything has a political relevance.

And in that sense, this match is most definitely a political issue.

These are representatives of a white,

completely illegal, oppressive, fascist regime

that are coming here and we can’t tolerate that.

PRESSURE MOUNTING AGAINST DAVIS CUP

YOUTH ASSOCIATIONS DEFY BAN ON DEMONSTRATIONS IN BÅSTAD

BÅSTAD MATCH: POLICE PREPARED FOR WAR

MUNICIPAL WORKER

We don’t have much to do with it, those of us who just work.

That’s more for the rich,

who can sort of do more as they please.

We don’t have much chance of making it into those circles,

where they play tennis.

So you think it’s a rich man’s sport?

Yes, it is.

Do you feel that the Tennis Association

was wrong to bring the match here to Båstad?

Well they’ve gone against the others…

against ordinary people...

that’s why there’s going to be demonstrations.

My lady, gentlemen, I bid you all a warm welcome

to the Båstad Tennis Stadium and the drawing for the first round

of the Davis Cup match between Sweden and Rhodesia.

The matches are scheduled for Friday, 2.00 pm,

Saturday, 2.00 pm and Sunday 1.00 p.m..

I am now going to hand the floor over to Sven Davidson,

who is going to act as referee and who will be in charge of the drawing.