Savon Sanomat reported on the inappropriate behavior related to Jarmo Heiskanen, CEO of Kuopio Palloseura, over the weekend. According to Lahti, the issues that have arisen are old and have been addressed.
According to the newspaper, Heiskanen’s management style has been described as involving threats and inappropriate language. Financial management has been described as lax.
Heiskanen did not want to comment on the allegations that went to the public over the weekend. He shared his views in a broadcast on Monday night in the bulletin (you switch to another service). In the press release, Heiskanen also apologizes for any resentment he may have caused. According to Heiskanen, a chase is underway against him.
We asked the club’s main owner Ari Lahtea to comment on events. Lahti is also the chairman of the Finnish Football Association.
Allegations have been made against CEO Jarmo Heiska about inappropriate behavior, fearful driving and problematic alcohol use. What is it about?
I don’t know exactly. Of course, I recognize some of these things that have been on the table. However, they are pretty old things and are related to inappropriate behavior and CEO alcohol use. I haven’t heard anything about driving for fear.
These issues are six months old and for some reason they have now been raised in Savon Sanomat. It seems unfair to bring to the public old things that have been addressed and agreed upon.
What are the issues that have been addressed?
One example is this event in a restaurant that involves sub-style use of language. When I found out about it last fall, I had a pretty tight conversation with Jarmo about it.
Yes, I have intervened in the things that have come to my notice. The previous and current governments have also intervened in matters brought to their attention. These are things that need to be addressed as an employer and to some extent as a friend.
What else has been involved other than this incident?
Here we go into an area that I don’t want to go into private matters involving a third person. I cannot comment on them.
Let’s talk on a more general level. Are the allegations of misconduct true?
I know of one case that has come to light. It has been addressed and I think it has been misused.
Has the CEO’s alcohol use been problematic in the performance of his work?
I do not know that there was a problem with the work. Jarmo has done a really good and excellent job for 12 years to create the success of KuPS. She has also played a key role in the inclusion of the women’s team in the limited company and there has also been success there. Of course, I see that there is some kind of truth in some of the things that have been made public.
The Finnish Football Association emphasizes zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior. Has the matter been adequately addressed?
At least I myself have tried to address every grievance that has come to my notice and that is how it must be. If you think about the alleged use of alcohol, Jarmo himself has said that he has not been involved in alcohol for six months. That’s when that intervention worked.
In life, one must be gracious when things are addressed and corrected. It is not appropriate to leave to judge people after six months.
As chairman of the Football Association, I absolutely believe that any inappropriate behavior or harassment must be addressed and is certainly the responsibility of club leaders in particular. It is important that people bring out these grievances.
The role of the CEO also includes finance, and KuPS has made a loss. As the main owner, you have paid losses from your own wallet and kept track. In this respect, do you have confidence in Heiskanen’s position in terms of financial management? It has also been said that it has been the subject of criticism.
These are round anonymous throws. I would not leave to comment on them. Jarmo is currently the CEO and in that sense enjoys the trust of the Board.
The bills will be paid as long as I am here and so have been paid so far. This is the price of a successful strategy to pay.
Heiskanen himself has stated in his press release that there are conflicts with KuPS Ry, which is responsible for junior activities. What do you know about these?
I have an idea about them, but I’m not going to judge it in public. I myself have no problem with Junior KuPS. When I received a public letter from KuPS Ry to KuPS Oy, I called the chairman of KuPS Ry from the same seat. To Eija Vähälä and that matter was reviewed. At least then, I didn’t realize there was inappropriate behavior in the background. It’s probably something else.
As the main owner of the club, do you still have confidence in CEO Jarmo Heiskane?
As I said earlier, Jarmo is still the CEO of KuPS Oy and enjoys the trust of the Board. He also has my trust.
The topic can be discussed on 19.5. until 11 p.m.