Pro‑Russia banners and Z symbol shown at Ilves–Jokerit match in Tampere

Banners referencing Russia’s invasion and the Z symbol were displayed in the stands at Saturday’s Ilves–Jokerit game at Tampere Arena, disrupting the match atmosphere, YLE reported.

Ilves head coach Tommi Niemelä called the banners beyond good taste and said they have no place at sporting events. Some sheets combined the Z symbol with the Jokerit logo, but Niemelä said only a handful of fans among the roughly 11,800 in attendance were responsible. He urged others to focus on the crowd’s positive energy.

Ilves event manager Lasse Fihl acknowledged spontaneous chants are hard to police and said the game nevertheless proceeded in good spirit.

Local police said the situation was under control and there were no criminal complaints, though officers noted minor disturbances and an unusually large presence outside the arena. They said they have no evidence of extremist thinking among Ilves fans.

The incident follows earlier season concerns about abusive chanting and reports of extremist ideas in small pockets of supporter groups. It comes after SM‑liiga began showing spectator conduct rules before every game; a recent supporters dispute also left visible gaps in Ilves' stands after a boycott by the Niilon pojat group. Liiga has been reminding spectators of conduct rules at the start of matches and urging low‑threshold intervention against inappropriate behaviour.