Underage Ilves and Tappara Supporters Organise Covert Brawls in Tampere

This spring, secret organised brawls and public disorder linked to underage Ilves and Tappara supporter groups have increased in Tampere, according to YLE.

Fan circles such as Tappara Youth and Vestito di Nero are at the centre of the trouble, and police say their members are mostly minors. Incidents have ranged from flares and abusive chanting that forced a February match to be paused to planned fights arranged via messaging apps — some happen out of public view. Some happen out of sight.

Commissioner Jani Mäkilä of the Central Finland police says the problem reflects a wider national trend and can include crimes such as assault, vandalism and resisting an officer.

Local fan organisations and authorities say attempts to reach the youths have had limited success. Tappara Fan Club chairman Jarkko Koskinen estimates some active youths are as young as 12–13 and describes outreach efforts as largely unsuccessful; Osasto 41 of Ilves did not respond to requests for comment.

Police and social services are monitoring the groups, but officials warn covertly arranged fights are difficult to prevent and often surface only after the fact.