Ilves fans display Russia war references at Jokerit game

Ilves supporters displayed banners referencing Russia’s war in Ukraine and shouted abusive language during Saturday’s Finnish SM-liiga game against Jokerit in Tampere, Yle reported.

Some banners in the Ilves section combined the Z symbol used in Russia’s invasion with Jokerit’s logo. Ilves head coach Tommi Niemelä told Yle that references to the war had no place at a sporting event and crossed the line of good taste.

Niemelä said only a few fans among the more than 11,500 spectators were responsible for the banners. He urged people to focus on the positive atmosphere. He said he could not comment on the chants because he had not heard them in the arena.

Ilves event manager Lasse Fihl said the match remained good-natured overall, although there had been some disorder. Police told Yle that the event was routine from their perspective, with no serious clashes or criminal reports. Fihl said stewards kept the situation under control and that, to his knowledge, nobody was physically injured.

The game drew 11,863 spectators, a season record. Police had prepared for the large crowd, and a Yle reporter saw an unusually large police presence outside the arena.

Jokerit played in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League from 2014 to 2022. The league has introduced new conduct reminders this season, showing spectators’ rules at the start of every game. Under its new safety instructions, banners brought into arenas must be checked at the entrance.