Finnish floorball faces a difficult moment after a major betting investigation led to dozens of competitive bans. The review cleared the sport of match-fixing, yet widespread breaches of betting rules triggered the largest disciplinary action ever recorded in Finnish floorball.
Good to Know
- Eighty players received bans tied only to betting-rule violations
- Investigators found no evidence of match manipulation
- Names remain confidential due to legal and data-protection concerns
Investigation Focused on Insider Betting, Not Match-Fixing
Findings from the Finnish Centre for Integrity in Sports reviewed insider betting activity linked to two matches and violations of F-Liiga betting restrictions. Rules prohibit players, staff, and coaches from placing wagers on domestic top-tier games. Out of 115 individuals examined, seven cases expired due to time limits and 20 fell outside the scope of the rules.
Eighty players now face bans across various lengths, with most suspended until late January 2026. Others received dates extending into 2026, and five cases remain under review. The sanctions apply across F-Liiga, Inssi-Divar, lower leagues, and players competing abroad.
Investigators will also review an additional match, Finland versus Norway at the 2024 World Championship, with conclusions expected next year.
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Federation Keeps Names Secret After Legal Review
The national federation elected not to disclose the suspended players, following the request of chairman Olli Rauste. Officials noted:
“Our conclusion is that from a legal perspective, the arguments for non-publication are strong and are clearly based on the current EU interpretation of data protection.”
The board agreed unanimously that releasing names would conflict with privacy obligations. All bans relate strictly to betting-rule violations, as SUEK found no signs of manipulation.
F-Liiga Responds to Damage and Looks Ahead
F-Liiga CEO Kimmo Nurminen issued a strong statement on the fallout:
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“The federation strongly condemns the violations that have occurred, which have led to the most extensive penalties in the history of the sport.”
He added that the case created “significant reputational damage” and that public naming would create punishment beyond what is fair. Nurminen emphasized the importance of preventing any repeat of the incident.
Veikkaus Calls for a Reset After Suspicious Betting Alerts
The scandal surfaced when Veikkaus detected unusual betting patterns tied to a playoff match and the Finland–Norway World Championship game. Bets were unusually high, including from long-inactive accounts. By mid-September, Veikkaus paused betting on elite men’s floorball until the investigation finished.
Veikkaus executive Mikko Lahti supported the disciplinary outcome:
“According to investigations, the prohibited betting in floorball has been extensive and systematic. Now that the penalties have been handed out, it is a good time to start from a clean slate.”
He stressed relief that no match manipulation occurred and hoped the sport will not face similar cases again.