SaiPa promises to ensure that something similar does not happen in the future.
Henri Nikkanen, who flew into the shower, was awarded the best of the match. Mikko Lieri/AOP
The prize distribution of the SaiPa-Tappara match played on Friday evening did not go according to the traditional formula, as the best player award went to the home team’s Henri Nikkanen.
Nikkanen tackled Tappara in the head in the second round From Otto Leskiwho was injured in the situation.
In the microblogging service X, the choice of Alumni’s number one star was condemned, among other things, as “a real barrage.” Tappara reacted to the update that raised the issue with facepalm emojis.
The league announced on Saturday morning that the disciplinary delegation has ordered the SaiPa forward to be temporarily suspended for the duration of the disciplinary hearing.
Regrets
We have apologized for the grotesque event on Saturday morning.
– In no way do we stand behind this choice. The incident will be reviewed with SaiPa alumni representatives and it will be ensured that this does not happen again in the future. Apologies for what happened to us and the bad mood it caused, the Lappeenranta club replied in X.
The person responsible for SaiPa’s alumni activities Jarno Lippojoki on the other hand, calls for respect for the opponent on Facebook.
In his opinion, the choice was “clearly wrong”.
– I’m sorry that this has happened, but I guarantee that this will not happen in the future and that appropriate reason will be used in the selections, Lippojoki promised.
The match itself ended with a 3–2 victory for SaiPa.
Story updated at 10:50: Added information about Nikkanen’s temporary suspension.