Tuomas Antikainen, who knocked out an opponent in the band league semi-final, considers the accusations of the opponent’s coach to be unreasonable. He says in an interview with the People of Satakunta that he has long suffered from inappropriate treatment in the field.
11.3. 11:28 • Updated March 11. 11:29
Antikainen was considered to have kicked Porvoo’s Akilles in the semi-final match last Sunday Denis Sadakovia with the blade of his skate. The jury did not give any penalties, but the head coach of Achilles Jari Hyttinen posted a video of the situation on Twitter.
– First with a blade to the ankle and then another kick to the head. Such pigs should not be accepted in any sport, Hyttinen wrote in connection with his video.
Antikainen tells the People of Satakunta that he is upset about his work and has passed an apology to Sadakov through Hyttinen. He admits that he intentionally skated towards Sadakov, but denies being kicked or hit in the head.
– I skated towards him. That is what I sincerely apologize for. It was an exaggeration, not acceptable in any case, Antikainen says to the People of Satakunta.
Narukerä will face Mikkeli Kampparit in a bronze match on Friday, but Antika is not seen on the field. Narukerä banned Antikainen from playing within one match.
The fuss over the situation in the semi-finals and Hyttinen’s accusations came as a surprise to Antikainen, as the situation did not cause any confusion after the match. Antikainen is worried that the uproar will affect his future.
– It doesn’t feel very good to get into every media because of that. If I apply for a job now, my employer might google my name. You may not get a place when he reads that I am some crazy hockey player who kicks others in the head, Antikainen says in an interview with SK.
The kick-off was Antikainen’s last rivet. He had already considered ending his career. The 168-centimeter feels that he has been mistreated on the field due to his small size.
– I have constantly experienced degrading treatment of my appearance. I think it’s even structural racism. Every game has barked me like a dwarf.
According to Antikainen, Narukerä has taken the matter forward. For the decision to close, the events of the semi-final match and the uproar that arose from them were the last rivet.
– The stop was already in my mind, because listening to a constant shout is not very fun. This hustle and bustle made the decision easy, Antikainen says.