Youth football match in Jyväskylä disrupted by inappropriate behavior as Fair Play campaign launches in Finland

In early July, a youth football match in Jyväskylä experienced disruption due to inappropriate shouting from a player. Following the incident, it was decided that the player would not participate during the final match. This is not an isolated event; a 2022 survey conducted by the Finnish Football Association revealed that over 60% of players aged 16 to 20 have witnessed inappropriate or disruptive behavior in the sport.

In response, the association has initiated a Fair Play campaign this year in under-15 leagues aimed at curbing such behavior on the fields. On the final day of the HeinäCup tournament, an incident during the 2010 age group match was reported, which allegedly included racist remarks directed towards the opposing team. The tournament organizer, Minna Järvinen, confirmed that the referee did not hear the comments, and the claims could not be verified.

The player involved belonged to the Jyväskylä-based Lehmon Pallo team. According to Elli Kirijatshenko, the development manager for the southern region of the Finnish Football Association, disruptive shouting is the most common form of inappropriate behavior encountered on football fields. This behavior affects not only players but also young referees and officials. Many young referees leave the profession due to criticism and inappropriate comments.

The Fair Play campaign has already seen participation from 156 clubs, including junior football from Äänekoski. Club junior director Minna Porrassalmi expresses hopes that the campaign will foster a more positive atmosphere among players and spectators. The campaign includes visible reminders of Fair Play rules and dedicated Fair Play representatives who will attend matches to help ensure a respectful environment and report any incidents of inappropriate behavior.