Far‑right supporters infiltrate Tappara fan subgroup; some members are 12‑year‑olds

Police say far‑right supporters have infiltrated a Tappara supporter subgroup known as Tre Youth 25 in Tampere, and that some members are 12‑year‑old boys, YLE reports. Officers said the subgroup is not part of Tappara's official fan organisation and based their assessment on observations at events and online.

Senior Constable Juhani Kraneis, who coordinates spectator safety in Pirkanmaa and Central Finland, said the presence of extremist sympathisers is worrying because the group is mostly minors and some members have criminal backgrounds. The ideology does not always show at matches, he added, but there were incidents this spring, including secret organised brawls between rival groups among underage supporters and violence during a Blue‑and‑Black Movement march in Tampere in late April.

Tappara’s parent company Tamhockey said there is no place in the club for racism, discrimination, violence or extremist activity, and that match security is monitored with the authorities. CEO Ari Penttilä said the club cannot control individual political views.

Authorities warned young members could be recruited into criminal networks, echoing wider regional concerns about far‑right recruitment among youth reported earlier by police.