The Administrative Court of Turku upheld the decision of the Southwest Finland Police, according to which large fan sheets may only be spread in empty parts of the stands.
FC Inter plans to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court against the Turku Administrative Court’s decision in November, which upheld the controversial policy of the police in Southwest Finland.
The matter is confirmed to Yelle by a member of Inter’s board Julius Håkans.
The police justify the sheet ban in the stands by hiding pyrotechnic products and the fact that it is difficult to identify and catch users of torches and smoke.
THO considered in its decision the other week that bed sheets can lower the threshold to engage in prohibited activities. According to THO, the sheet ban allows the police to effectively intervene in the use of pyrotechnic products.
Sheet ban only in Turku
According to Julius Håkans, the decision is problematic, among other things, because of its locality. The order is in effect in Turku, while elsewhere “tifos” spread over the spectators as before.
– The KHO’s decision will be interesting to see how this is applied nationwide. We are talking about completely similar conditions and security arrangements. I don’t see that sheets are more dangerous in Turku than in Helsinki or Tampere.
If the Supreme Court upholds the decision, according to Inter’s view, it must apply to all stands in Finland and also to Huuhkajie’s matches.
– As a football person, I have to say that it would be very problematic for the development of Finnish football culture.
Håkans reminds that Inter has organized match events for 30 years according to the safety guidelines of the Swedish Football Association and UEFA. In his opinion, the police’s view of sheets being used mainly for camouflage is wrong.
– Sheets cannot be banned on the grounds that they would be harmful to public safety, says Håkans.
Veikkausliiga is waiting for a solution
CEO of Veikkausliiga Timo Marjamaa is careful when commenting on the sheet thing. He considers a possible nationwide bed sheet ban difficult for supporters.
– The fact that we are going to categorically ban it just to be sure, that is a tougher line. Yes, it is certainly something that is not inspiring for the supporter culture.
Marjamaa is waiting for a solution to the matter in the Supreme Administrative Court.
– You shouldn’t make too far-fetched speculations. Supporter culture includes big sheets all over Europe. If there are no such things in Finland, it is a tricky part in terms of promoting culture.
THO’s decision was reported earlier Turku Sanomat.