Police on Spectator Misbehavior in Tampere: In Recent Years Even Minors Have Been Recruited
Police in Tampere report an alarming trend of increasing misbehavior among sports spectators, including the recruitment of minors into rowdy fan groups.
In recent years, spectator misbehavior at sports events in Tampere has escalated into a significant concern for local authorities. Juhani Kraneis, a senior constable from the Inner Finland Police, highlights that there has been a noticeable increase in the involvement of young fans and even minors in disruptive activities during games. This rise in incidents calls into question the safety protocols at such events, as one observed case during an under-18 local match forced the game to be halted due to flares being lit in the stands.
Kraneis points out that the intentional recruitment of young fans by older supporters is becoming commonplace. Youngsters often admire the actions of seasoned fans and can be easily manipulated into participating in reckless behavior. This suggests a troubling dynamic where the influence of aggressive fan culture is extending to younger ages, raising fears about the overall safety at sporting events and the potential for further escalation in violent or disruptive incidents.
A specific area of concern for law enforcement in Tampere is the activities related to the fan group Osasto 41, associated with the team Ilves. While Kraneis estimates that most members of this group are ordinary supporters, he alleges that about five percent are problematic elements with their own agendas. Therefore, the police are likely to increase their monitoring of these fan groups in an attempt to curb misbehavior and ensure safety at sports events in the future.