HJK has to think of ways to eradicate problem behavior.
The last Stadin Derby of the Veikkausliiga season gave a lot of talk, but unfortunately for the Finnish futs culture, it focused on the quarrelsome disruptive behavior of the fans.
It must be remembered that a few dozen of the more than 7,000 spectators participated in the hooliganism, but the damage to their reputation will take a long time to repair.
Several children who came to the stadium were afraid of the sound of the bang bombs and the rather militaristic equipment of the riot police.
Many parents are now asking whether HJK offers a safe place for the youngest members of the family.
– That kind of thing doesn’t belong in a football stadium, especially from the point of view of children and young people. It’s unfortunate that this happens. Under no circumstances should such a thing happen, HJK ry executive director Timo Muurinen grant.
No easy answers
Santeri Hostika’s winning goal lit the torches once again. Matti Raivio / AOP
Joona Venäläinen arrived at the game ten minutes late with her 7- and 5-year-old children. They managed to see part of what happened.
– Yes, the behavior of the fans raised a lot of questions in the children. Why is the game paused? Why are torches and other things used despite the prohibitions? Why are the fans rioting? The Russian tells Iltalehte.
– The police on the center line scared the children a little. On the other hand, colorful torches were also admired and asked why they are prohibited, says Venäläinen.
There are no unequivocal answers to the questions, but Muurinen is at least trying.
– Why is society doing so badly at the moment? After all, there must be a reason for that roving group.
– In Finland, they can’t go to Rautatientori to kick trash, so they have to come to the stadium to riot.
A big youth organization
HJK ry has approximately 3,500 children and almost 8,000 parents in its operations every week. The club is one of the largest youth organizations in Finland, and the educational work it does does not always get enough attention.
– We want families and children to continue to support HJK – both men and women, Muurinen emphasizes.
– I have been in this place for quite a long time. And all that time we’ve been trying to get families to watch the games. It is important to us that we create a safe match event where it is nice to support your own club’s teams.
The story continues after the picture
The bill for the last Stadin Derby of the season will be paid for a long time to come. Matti Raivio / AOP
Now the HJK junkies are sitting in the same Klubipäädy as Monday’s hooligans.
– Of course we think about where we will put our own junnas. That grandstand map is reviewed every year.
– You have to remember that there are a lot of good fans out there, who support in a matter-of-fact way. It’s nice that such a sense of community is created.
Watch closed?
No one has any easy solution to curb the ever-worsening football hooliganism. Muurinen would be ready for a quite radical solution.
– This phenomenon occurs exclusively in HIFK games. Sure, there is substandard shouting at Lahti matches, but this mild phenomenon only applies to the local game.
– I would draw a strict line and empty the grandstand in those matches, if this doesn’t happen otherwise.
Finnish legislation currently does not allow for eternal gate bans. For example, similar behavior in England would mean the immediate closing of the stadium gates.
Of course, the solution can also come in sports. HIFK has become a jumbo in the Veikkausliiga, and it is most likely threatened by falling down the league ladder.
In that case, problem matches would no longer be played next season.
Muurinen himself does not wish for that.
– Full stadiums, fan marches and supporter culture are nice things. When HIFK has been in the league, it has created this phenomenon in the capital region.
– These derbies are quite popular.