Tampere United fined €400 after underage boys shouted racist slur
Tampere United was fined €400 after a supporter shouted a racist insult during a July Ykkönen match, and the caller appears to have been one of a group of underage boys who have since been barred from a home game.
YLE reported that Tampere United was fined €400 after a supporter shouted a racist insult during a July Ykkönen match against VJS in Vantaa. An assistant referee heard the slur. The main referee briefly stopped play to investigate before the match continued.
Antti Niemistö, a board member of the club's parent company and a member of the main supporters' group Sinikaarti, said the caller's identity is unclear but appears to be one of a group of underage boys, some as young as 12, who have started attending matches this season. Sinikaarti confronted the group and warned that such behaviour will not be tolerated. The club cannot issue formal stadium bans, but it denied entry to those who acted inappropriately at the next home game.
Wider concerns about racism and problematic behaviour in local sports stands have been raised. A September report found far-right infiltration of a Tappara supporters subgroup with members as young as 12 the report said, and police and clubs have previously warned about organised brawls and public disorder involving underage Ilves and Tappara supporters earlier coverage.
Earlier coverage
Catch the full story over at YLE
