Finnish football match reignites irregular betting concerns
The Finnish FA says it’s investigating irregular wagering on a recent fixture amid concerns that Finnish football is susceptible to match-fixing.
Finland.- A fourth-division football fixture in Finland has triggered suspicions of match-fixing, raising concerns in a country that’s in the process of opening its monopoly gambling market to competition. A match between HIFK and Atlantis at the former’s Töölö ground earlier this month produced eight goals, with Atlantis coming back from 3-1 down at half-time to win 5-3.
The Football Association of Finland, working alongside private betting monitors, has reportedly identified irregular wagering patterns linked to the game. Kaj Björkqvist, Integrity Officer at the Finnish FA, told the Swedish-language media Hufvudstadsbladet (HBL): “We have received information from several official sources that may indicate match-fixing. We are currently investigating the suspicions. This is terribly sad. It kills competitive sport.”
International watchdogs are understood to be assisting in the inquiry, and Atlantis manager Markku Ritala has expressed unease over the way his side scored four late goals. “The fact that we managed to turn 3–1 into 3–5 feels unbelievable – we are not that much better than HIFK. It makes you think that perhaps we received help from someone on the other side. Some fairly easy goals went in on that end as well.” HBL noted that alerts raised with the FA concern Atlantis alone, with none directed at HIFK.
Joona Haavisto, Manager of HIFK’s men’s team, said: “Our club hopes that the case will be thoroughly investigated. If anyone is found guilty of cheating, we hope that they receive the strictest possible punishment. We must get rid of people who engage in this. Match-fixing is football’s cancer. Everyone involved in football should fight it together.”
A rise in alerts as Finland prepares for gambling liberalisation
Following approval of the new Finnish Gambling Act, the national police board is currently processing licence applications as the country prepares for the opening to a liberalised regulated online gambling market from July 2027. A report from the Finnish National Sports Council last year raised concerns that the end of Veikkaus’s state monopoly over gambling could lead to weaker monitoring and a rise in match-fixing cases.
It’s feared that Finland’s summer football calendar and the relatively low profile of its lower divisions make it attractive for match-fixing. There has already been a rise in manipulation alerts to the Finnish Centre for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS) from under 20 in 2022 to 71 cases in 2024.
The HIFK–Atlantis clash drew only around 1,000 spectators, according to HBL. Yet Antti Koivula, Chief Compliance Officer at Hippos ATG, warned that even modest fixtures can generate significant betting volumes. “The range is wide. If someone knows what they are doing, they can place bets totalling €20,000-€500,000 on a single Kakkonen match”.
FC Finnkurd was expelled from Men’s Division 3 earlier this year after a two-year probe into match-fixing. In 2024, Finnish media reported that two young Brazilians recruited by the club were allegedly told to “do what Chinese investors say” once they arrived. There have also been concerns in other sports. In December, 80 Finnish floorball players were suspended over betting, although there no allegations of match-fixing in this case.
